Now that LaGuardia
Airport has been transformed and JFK Airport is in active redevelopment, the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey is turning its attention to the
reimagining of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). On Thursday, the
agency revealed its far-ranging blueprint for the future of EWR¡¯s continued
development in the coming decades. This follows the award-winning overhaul of
its new Terminal A, which opened in January 2023.?
?
The?EWR
Vision Plan?was created with input from top aviation design firm Arup,
as well as architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which were
contracted to begin drafting business development, planning, architectural and
engineering designs starting in October 2022, according to nj.com.
The roadmap was drafted over the course of roughly 200 meetings, which included
outreach to airport tenants, operational partners and surrounding communities.?
The overall plan
consists of both near-term and long-term projects that are envisioned for
completion over the next 40 years. These will start with the expansion of the relatively
recently reopened Terminal A, then the eventual demolition and replacement of
the aging Terminal B. Now the airport¡¯s oldest terminal, Terminal B was
initially constructed in 1973 and enhanced in 2008. Eventually, Terminal C
would also be modernized to improve the customer experience.?
?
Artist's rendering of the new Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey. (Photo Credit: Arup and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)
According to the
Port Authority¡¯s news release, the EWR Vision Plan lays the groundwork for an
overall revamp of the airport, replacing outdated infrastructure, constructing
cutting-edge terminals, installing a more intuitive roadway network, and introducing
a redesigned taxiway system to accommodate more aircraft and reduce delays.?
¡°The airport¡¯s
legacy infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of modern air travel. This is
especially true as the airport¡¯s passenger volume grows, the release states,
adding, ¡°Major recurring issues, including insufficient terminal capacity,
congested roadways, and airside delays often lead to inefficient operations and
a subpar passenger experience.¡± The document goes on to say, ¡°The blueprint
enables the airport to handle
future growth, while serving the evolving needs of passengers, airlines,
and the surrounding community.¡±
Officials did not
announce a timeline for this sweeping redevelopment plan, except to say that
near-term projects would take place over the coming decade, but did provide a sequence
of progression. Budgets for these projects also were not disclosed as part of
Thursday¡¯s announcement.?
Rendering of the long-term layout for Newark Liberty International Airport's redesign. (Photo Credit: Arup and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)
The roadmap will
pursue a phased approach to minimize the impact on airport operations, with the
very first step being the replacement of the current AirTrain system with a
new, state-of-the-art automated system and a new access point for the Newark
Liberty International Airport Rail Station. A $950-million first contract to
accomplish this project was awarded in December 2023.
¡°We will get the
Terminal A (expansion) planning out in the next three to four months,¡± said
Jacquelene McCarthy, Port Authority director of aviation redevelopment at
Thursday¡¯s presentation. ¡°Now that we completed the vision and we¡¯re going to
be formally publishing it, we will be rolling into Terminal B program planning.¡±
The Port Authority
anticipates kicking off the two- to three-year planning process for major facets
of the broader redevelopment in 2025, including cost projections and project
delivery alternatives.
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