New York Construction Report staff writer
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has officially broken ground on a $3.5 billion replacement of the AirTrain Newark system at Newark Liberty International Airport, marking the start of construction for a modern 2.5-mile automated people mover. The new system will replace the existing AirTrain, which opened in 1996 and is no longer able to meet the airport’s growing passenger demand.
The AirTrain replacement is part of a broader redevelopment plan at Newark Liberty, which includes modernizing terminals, streamlining the roadway network, and redesigning taxiways to improve aircraft movement and reduce delays. The new system is expected to begin operation in 2030, increasing passenger capacity from 33,000 to 50,000 riders per day while providing improved reliability and connectivity between terminals, parking areas, and rail links.
Construction of the AirTrain Newark system is being delivered through a multi-phase procurement process. In December 2023, the Port Authority selected Doppelmayr for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the automated people mover and its vehicles. Engineering firm Stantec was retained in 2024 to design a 70,000-square-foot maintenance and control facility and pedestrian connectors, while the joint-venture team of Tutor Perini/O&G was selected to construct the new 2.5-mile elevated guideway and three new stations.
The new system is designed with future growth in mind, allowing for potential expansion to serve a redeveloped Terminal B and other airport upgrades. The existing AirTrain will remain largely operational during construction, with intermittent service outages over a 28-month period scheduled outside peak travel times.
The project also includes workforce and community development initiatives. Contractors are required to consider a broad range of local firms for subcontracting opportunities, and Doppelmayr will implement a workforce program for future operations and maintenance. The Port Authority has partnered with institutions including Rutgers and Kean universities to provide scholarships, internships, and STEM engagement programs related to the project.
The AirTrain replacement is a key component of the Port Authority’s EWR Vision Plan, a long-term blueprint for Newark Liberty’s redevelopment. In addition to the AirTrain, the plan calls for a new Terminal B, enhanced Terminal C, streamlined roadways, and an upgraded taxiway network to improve efficiency, increase aircraft parking capacity, and accommodate larger aircraft.
The AirTrain system provides critical connections to Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor lines and facilitates transfers between terminals, parking facilities, and rental car services. With Newark Liberty handling nearly 50 million passengers in 2024, the new system will be essential to meeting future passenger demand and supporting the airport’s continued growth.
For more information and updates on the project, visit the Port Authority’s EWR redevelopment website.
