If all goes according to plan, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) could go from worst to first in national rankings.
On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced what it calls the EWR Vision Plan, which lays the groundwork for a major redevelopment of the 96-year-old airport.
The plan consists of three major redevelopment projects, including a new Terminal B, improved air taxiways and redesigned roads.
At this point, the EWR Vision Plan is still a large project, but it may be a foreshadowing of what’s to come for the airport.
“A modern, functional, world-class Newark Liberty International Airport is more than just a dream. We now have a viable opportunity to move forward thanks to this comprehensive vision plan. As the blueprint shows, we are ready to take over from top to bottom. Look at everything from the terminals to the runways to the taxiways as we build the -EWR has become a world-class gateway,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole in a statement.
Here is what the plan contains.
New Terminal B
Newark has one new terminal (Terminal A) that opened in January 2023, and two terminals that date back to the 1970s. Those outdated facilities — Terminals B and C — are in dire need of renovation, and the Port Authority seems to agree.
The EWR Vision Plan calls for a new international terminal to replace Terminal B. It also includes improvements to Terminal C, which United Airlines, the resident employer, has already modernized in phases.
The Port Authority did not provide further details about the new Terminal B or the upgraded Terminal C, but said “the open, streamlined terminals will allow the airport to accommodate continued growth in passenger volume, while leaving room for expansion as needed.”
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New airport taxiways to reduce delays
Anyone who has recently flown from Newark knows that the airport is prone to delays. That is partly due to the complexity of the New York City area airport but also due to structural issues related to the way the runways and taxiways are laid out at EWR.
To address that, the Port Authority wants to build a “highly efficient and robust taxi network” that supports larger aircraft and maximizes parking capacity and flexibility.
The renovated taxiways will also include additional towing facilities, allowing aircraft to depart the gates more quickly during the winter months.
Improved roads
Even if you just dropped off or picked up a friend or family member in Newark, chances are you’ve been stuck in terminal traffic.
That is set to change under the EWR Vision Plan, which includes an improved network of roads and terminals to support more traffic.
The Port Authority says that “the road network will also be simplified to reduce points and separate large flows with independent circulation in each area.”
Newark’s ongoing improvements
These three major projects join existing work in Newark. For one thing, the airport opened the new Terminal A early last year, which has won many awards and commands high scores for passenger feedback.
The airport is also replacing the existing AirTrain system with a new train and building new roads at the airport train station to make it easier for locals and travelers to get to the airport without taking the AirTrain.
It seems the Port Authority is trying to turn Newark into the next LaGuardia Airport (LGA), going from one of the worst airports to one of the best in the country. While that may still be a long way off, at least plans are officially underway.
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