‘Master Planners’ Will Help Design Future Of Newark Airport

NEWARK, NJ — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has chosen the companies that will be behind the wheel of an “ambitious” development plan at Newark Liberty International Airport.

On Monday, the Port Authority announced that Arup, one of the world’s top aviation planning and design firms, will oversee a vision plan for future development of Newark Airport in partnership with leading architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

According to the Port Authority, the master planner will be tasked with “developing a comprehensive development strategy and blueprint – including extensive local community outreach and participation – to accommodate future growth and demand, improve the travel experience and identify opportunities for enhancing the sustainability and resiliency of the facility.”

Port Authority officials added:

“Arup and SOM will be analyzing the airport’s existing capacity and providing a comprehensive framework to accommodate expected passenger and cargo growth through 2065. The two firms will oversee architectural, planning, engineering, and business development services for Newark Liberty, while factoring in the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airport’s travel volumes and customer demands as part of the planning process … The planners also will be looking beyond the airport proper, seeking ways to increase the economic value of the airport to the region by maximizing job creation and economic opportunities in Newark, Elizabeth, and throughout the Port District. Partnering with local residents, local businesses, community-based organizations and elected officials will be key to ensuring the successful outline of a plan. In addition, they will develop strategies for more operationally efficient parking facilities, road access and the potential creation of new Ground Transportation Center (GTC) facilities to meet current and future needs. Experts hired to conduct the study will also be asked to identify new cutting-edge technology resources to improve the customer experience and wayfinding capabilities.”

Newark Airport is in the midst of an airport-wide transformation, with three major projects underway totaling about $5.3 billion in public and private investment.

A new Terminal A is scheduled to open later this year. Measuring more than 1 million square feet, the $2.7 billion facility -- the largest design-build project in New Jersey history – is in the final stages of construction. It is replacing the outdated current Terminal A and incorporating a new roadway access network and additional terminal-front parking once completed.

The new Terminal A represents the largest single investment in New Jersey by the Port Authority in the agency’s 101-year history, administrators said.

As part of the EWR redevelopment program, a Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRac) facility combined with Port Authority-funded public parking also is in the final stages of construction, with a partial opening scheduled later this year and a full opening in 2023.

Pre-pandemic, Newark Airport ranked as the nation’s 12th busiest airport in total passengers, with 33 airlines serving more than 47.5 million customers in 2019 offering non-stop service to more than 160 destinations globally. Newark Airport also serves as a powerful economic engine for the region, with about 23,000 people employed in airport-related jobs, the Port Authority said.

The Port Authority’s selection got a thumbs-up from Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Today’s announcement reflects our ongoing and determined progress toward the transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport,” Murphy said. “Well on its way to transitioning from vision to reality, this overhaul will produce the world-class facilities befitting of one of the most pivotal transportation hubs in the world.”

“By selecting internationally renowned firms Arup and SOM to oversee the Newark vision plan, the Port Authority has demonstrated its intent to help Newark Liberty reach its maximum potential for the benefit of all New Jersey residents and visitors,” Murphy added.

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