The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has authorised 12 million USD for planning and design work to improve local access to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and its onward transit network.
The funded EWR Station Access Project will provide improved public transit, pedestrian and cycling options to and from the airport to aid underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth.
Alongside improving access to the airport, this project will better connect local communities to New York Penn Station and the Northeast Corridor using NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak’s existing services.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said:When completed, the EWR Station Access Project will further promote public transportation use and efficiency in two of New Jersey’s largest cities. Enhancing connectivity means expanding opportunity – opportunity that for far too long has remained out of reach for historically excluded communities in our state. While connecting residents to our world-class transportation network and airport, this project will also catalyse economic activity and generate good-paying jobs for hard-working New Jerseyans.
The preliminary design work for this project will plan a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link Station serving EWR.
It will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT and AirTrain Newark to improve mobility in a cost-effective way.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said:Access to public transportation is vital to expanding economic opportunities. For decades, the communities of the South Ward of Newark and the northern part of Elizabeth have lacked affordable transit options, particularly to Newark Liberty and New York City. This project is an example of government at its best by figuring out a way to deliver a project faster and for less money while also putting thousands of well-paying jobs within reach. Newark Liberty itself serves as a powerful economic engine for the region, with about 19,250 people directly employed at the airport.
