photo Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, 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. The project will dramatically expand transit and airport access for historically underserved areas of Newark and Elizabeth.
The $160 million project includes an extension of the existing pedestrian bridge over platforms and tracks at the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station to a new public access area off Frelinghuysen Avenue. The public access area will include a pickup/drop-off point for private vehicles, taxis, buses and for-hire vehicles, along with bicyclist and pedestrian access. The new entry point is expected to open in 2026.
“Today marks the beginning of a transformative effort to enhance regional connectivity surrounding Newark Liberty International Airport,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “This project will not only improve mobility, but it will open doors for the communities that have been excluded from access to this major transportation hub. Through this critical investment, we will ensure that Newark Liberty International Airport is a world-class gateway for all New Jerseyans while bolstering economic opportunity in the communities that surround it.”
“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.”
Residents in Newark’s South Ward and North Elizabeth currently face long and often complicated transit routes to reach the airport for travel or employment, often relying on private cars or lengthy journeys on public transportation. For residents of nearby neighborhoods, the new connection will transform transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Newark-Penn Station by reducing typical travel times from up to 40 minutes by bus to less than 10 minutes by train.
This project also improves access to Northeast Corridor rail lines serviced by NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, including a one-seat ride to New York-Penn Station, and enhances community-led efforts to foster transit-oriented development around the station.
Key features of the project include:
- A westward extension of the station’s pedestrian bridge to a new access point off Frelinghuysen Avenue, with temperature-controlled indoor areas
- Accessible elevators and escalators linking the bridge to street level
- A 16,350-square-foot access area with dedicated drop-off lanes for cars, taxis, buses, and for-hire vehicles
- Pedestrian and bicycle access, along with a cellphone lot for private vehicles
- Real-time train and bus arrival displays alongside ticket vending machines
Follow the Ridgewood blog has a brand-new new X account, we tweet good sh$t
https://twitter.com/TRBNJNews
https://truthsocial.com/@theridgewoodblog
https://mewe.com/jamesfoytlin.74/posts
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
