PANYNJ Begins $160MM Project at Newark Intl. Airport
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today kicked off construction of the agency’s project to add a new entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station served by AirTrain Newark, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT rail.
Caption and photo courtesy of PANYNJ
NEWARK, N.J. - Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has started construction on a $160 million transit access project at Newark Liberty International Airport.
According to PANYNJ, the project will add a new point of entry at the airport that is served by AirTrain Newark, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT. The project also reportedly includes extending a pedestrian bridge over the platforms to a “public access area off Frelinghuysen Avenue.” PANYNJ states this new entry point will open sometime in 2026.
The project will improve access for those in Newark’s South Ward and North Elizabeth. Aside from extending a current pedestrian bridge, construction includes linking accessible elevators and escalators to street level, increasing pedestrian and bicycle access, a 16,350-sq ft. access area with dedicated drop-off lanes, and arrival displays next to ticket machines to display train and bus arrivals.
The Newark Liberty International Airport is currently undergoing a redevelopment by PANYNJ. This redevelopment includes terminal development, airside development, landsite development, and replacing AirTrain Newark with a “modern, 2.5-mile automated train system to accommodate a ridership forecasted to grow by 50% by 2040.”
“This project is both a literal and symbolic bridge, linking communities that have been cut off for too long from the region’s broader transportation network,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Access to efficient transportation can change lives. It connects people to jobs, education, healthcare and family. Today, we are breaking ground on access to economic opportunities that will no longer fly over residents of these neighborhoods in Newark and Elizabeth.”
“This station project is about more than transit – it’s about fairness. Breaking ground on this project is a major step toward ensuring that Newark Liberty is a gateway for everyone – international travelers and local resident alike,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This station access project will strengthen connections between the airport and the surrounding community, opening up jobs, faster commutes, and new opportunities. As we continue to modernize Newark Liberty, we’re committed to working with the communities around the airport to share the benefits of its transformation.”
“Modern airports should be more than just gateways. They also play a critical role in the communities they serve,” said Ralph D’Apuzzo, the Port Authority’s lead program director of the redevelopment of Newark Liberty. “With this project, we’re enhancing Newark Liberty’s infrastructure while also making it more inclusive and accessible. By improving airport connectivity, we strengthen regional mobility and create greater opportunities for both travelers and local communities.”
“This project represents a major step forward in expanding equitable access to regional transportation,” said Kris Kolluri, president & CEO of NJ TRANSIT. “By creating a new direct entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station, this project will not only improve convenience and shorten travel times, but also strengthens the critical connections that fuel opportunity and mobility for the communities who depend on public transit.”
