Newark Airport Upgrades Will Cut Travel Time For Nearby Residents

NEWARK, NJ — For anyone who works at Newark Airport – but lives in Newark or Elizabeth – traveling to the job can be a surprisingly huge headache. But that’s expected to change when a multi-million dollar construction project crosses the finish line in 2026, officials say.

Earlier this week, the board of commissioners at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved $160 million for design and construction on the “EWR Station Access project,” which will add a new entry point to the rail station at the busy airport.

Port Authority officials said the project will include an extension of the existing pedestrian bridge over station platforms and tracks to a new public access area off Frelinghuysen Avenue. That area will include a pick-up/drop-off point for private vehicles, taxis, buses and rideshare drivers, along with bicycle and pedestrian access. The new facility will provide elevators and escalators between the bridge and street level. It will be ADA-accessible and will display real-time bus and train arrival information alongside ticket vending machines.

The project will also improve connections to PATH train service from Newark Penn Station for access to job centers in Jersey City and Manhattan.

The end result? It will be a lot easier for people living in the nearby area to get to the airport – and that’s a good deal for everyone, officials said.

Currently getting to the airport can be a frustratingly tricky task for people living in the South Ward of Newark and the northern part of Elizabeth. The ride can take up to 40 minutes on public transit – a tough pill to swallow when you live so close.

But when the new additions at the airport are complete, the trip will only take 10 minutes, officials say.

“This latest project will be a crucial bridge – literally and figuratively – for local residents, many of whom help power one of the world’s busiest airports,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“This is a true example of how transit access can transform a community,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole agreed.

“This project will fill in a critical link that had been missing for too long in the South Ward and North Elizabeth, giving residents in these previously underserved neighborhoods far easier access not just to Newark Airport, but to our regional transit system and all the opportunities that come with it,” O’Toole added.

The Board of Commissioners voted on Thursday, March 21, to advance the design and construction of the project. The Port Authority previously authorized funding for project design work in March 2023.

• See Related: Quicker Trip To Airport Coming For Newark, Elizabeth Residents

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