The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has officially broken ground on the new AirTrain Newark system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
A 2.5-mile automated people mover; the new 3.5 billion USD system will replace the airport’s existing AirTrain, which was opened in 1996.
The installation of the new AirTrain system forms a major part of ongoing redevelopment work at Newark Liberty International Airport, which looks to provide a total overhaul of the airport itself with modern terminals and infrastructure, a new roadway network and a redesigned taxiway network.
Delivery of the new system is being handled through a multi-phase procurement process: in December 2023, the PANYNJ chose Doppelmayr to design, construct, operate and maintain the automated people mover system and its vehicles, in summer 2024, it selected engineering firm Stantec was selected to design the new 70,000 square-foot maintenance and control facility (MCF) and the pedestrian connectors, and to decommission the existing AirTrain, and in November 2024 it chose the joint-venture firm of Tutor Perini/O&G to design and build a new 2.5-mile elevated rail structure, known as the guideway, as well as three new stations.
Once operational in 2030, the AirTrain system will allow for expanded passenger capacity, stronger reliability and flexible connectivity with the airport’s overall redevelopment plan.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton, said:The new AirTrain Newark is essential to Newark Liberty’s future.
It will improve access to the airport, support its continued growth, and knit together the airport’s terminals, rail links, and parking into a modern, unified system. Together with the new award-winning Terminal A and future redevelopment projects, the AirTrain will help deliver the 21st century travel experience that our region deserves.
With AirTrain ridership set to grow by 50% by 2040; the airport’s current system has now begun to reach the end of its natural life, requiring extensive routine maintenance and unable to be expanded or upgraded. In 2024, it served 50 million passengers.
The new system will be capable of handling up to 50,000 passengers per day, an increase from the current system’s maximum capacity of 33,000. It will also allow for access to the new Terminal A, which currently takes 15 minutes to walk to from the current AirTrain station.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, said:Newark Airport is the front door to our region – and modernizing the AirTrain system is part of our commitment to reimagining a world-class airport that is worthy of our state.
Building on the transformation of Terminal A, the new system will meet an increasing number of travelers and deliver the airport experience they deserve.
Routing for the system was designed with future developments in mind, with planning now underway for a new Terminal B. Access to the current Terminal B building will be possible via connections provided by the PANYNJ, with the new Terminal B building set to be directly across from the AirTrain station.
The current system will remain in operation until the new system opens, with a small number of outages expected over the 28-month period (excluding peak summer and holiday travel times).
The PANYNJ has also stated it will begin trialling autonomous shuttles as a form of transportation between airport terminals, with plans to pilot the technology through three companies in 2026.
