Quicker Trip To Airport Coming For Newark, Elizabeth Residents

NEWARK, NJ — A large public transportation project that will make it easier for Newark and Elizabeth residents to get to the airport has taken a big step forward.

On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that its board of commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project.

When complete, the project is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a “one-seat ride” to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ Transit’s direct Northeast Corridor services.

It will be a win for the people who live in the surrounding neighborhoods or work at the airport, who will see drastically reduced times for their round trips, officials said. The plan will also “support safe and efficient access” to the existing transit services for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as via personal vehicles, public buses, shuttles, for-hire vehicles and taxis.

According to the Port Authority, the train access will be a big timesaver when compared to taking the bus:

“Comparatively, it can take Newark and Elizabeth residents about 40 minutes to reach Newark Airport via bus, whereas the trip from Amtrak and NJ Transit’s co-located Newark International Airport station on their Northeast Corridor (NEC) lines to AirTrain Newark takes only about nine minutes, or rail trips to Newark Penn Station on existing trains from the NEC station link reliably take about seven minutes. The project will also improve connections to PATH train service from Newark Penn Station for access to job centers in Jersey City and Manhattan, while spurring transit-oriented development around the NEC station serving the airport consistent with local community-driven planning efforts.”

Newark residents have been demanding better access to the airport for years, most recently at several community outreach sessions conducted as part of the Port Authority’s EWR Vision Plan.

Now, residents of Newark’s South Ward – who asked for rail service as part of a proposed PATH line extension to serve Newark Airport – will get a rail station sooner and not have to wait for the larger project to be funded and built … although they’ll be riding a NJ Transit train instead of a PATH train, NJ.com reported.

According to Port Authority officials:

“The EWR Station Access Project was engineered to deliver many of the community benefits of a PATH rail extension to the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station faster and at a significantly reduced cost. The PATH rail extension, as originally outlined in the agency’s 2017-2026 Capital Plan, relies on more than $700 million in anticipated grants that have yet to be secured. The EWR Station Access Project is preliminarily estimated to cost $125 million (subject to change based on the results of the planning work authorized today). With the EWR Station Access project capable of delivering the PATH rail extension’s ambitions for local community access to New York City and Newark Liberty, and the current funding shortfall for the project, the PATH rail extension is being deferred to a future capital plan.”

Newark Airport contributes more than $29.3 billion in annual economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting more than 128,000 total jobs and nearly $10.8 billion in annual wages.

• See Related: Bigger, Better $2.7 Billion Terminal At Newark Airport Unveiled (VIDEO)

“When completed, the EWR Station Access Project will further promote public transportation use and efficiency in two of New Jersey’s largest cities,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday.

“Enhancing connectivity means expanding opportunity – opportunity that for far too long has remained out of reach for historically excluded communities in our state,” Murphy said. “While connecting residents to our world-class transportation network and airport, this project will also catalyze economic activity and generate good-paying jobs for hard-working New Jerseyans.”

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said that 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.

“Access to public transportation is vital to expanding economic opportunities,” O’Toole said.

More details can be found in the board’s March 14 meeting agenda. Watch a video of the discussion about the EWR Station Access Project below.

Other supporters of the expansion project included:

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker – “Many New Jerseyans, especially in communities in and around Newark, rely on affordable, accessible public transit to get to the airport, New York City, and other parts of our region. I am encouraged by the Port Authority’s commitment to improving access to Newark airport and Newark Penn Station for residents of Newark's South Ward and northern parts of Elizabeth. Infrastructure projects like this should strive to enhance regional connectivity, save New Jerseyans time and money, and increase economic opportunity.”

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez – “New Jerseyans, particularly residents of Newark, Elizabeth and the surrounding local communities, deserve secure, reliable and affordable public transportation so they can safely access Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City through Newark Amtrak and NJ Transit stations. These critical infrastructure investments are necessary to ensure all communities, especially those traditionally underserved, remain connected in a swift and cost-effective manner that also creates thousands of good-paying jobs. I applaud the Port Authority for taking this initial step and look forward to working with them to turn this project into a reality.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. – “I am pleased that the Port Authority is expanding community access to the Newark Airport train station. I have been working to get federal funds to expand the station’s access and this project will help workers in my district get to their airport and rail service jobs faster. Right now, residents in Newark’s South Ward and North Elizabeth require a lengthy bus ride before they can board trains. I wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently to support the Port Authority’s grant application to make this project a reality. I look forward to working with federal and local officials to help the Port Authority continue to make travel more efficient for all area passengers.”

U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez – “The EWR Station Access Project will make a marked improvement in the lives of Elizabeth and Newark residents who utilize Newark Liberty International Airport’s AirTrain Newark Rail Link Station. This project will provide our residents with expanded access to the airport, as well as NJ Transit and Amtrak trains, making it easier for them to get where they need to go. Thank you to Governor Murphy, the Port Authority, its dedicated Board led by Chairman O’Toole, and its incredible staff for investing in our district and our communities.”

New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz – “Today the Port Authority has made a profound investment in both the city of Newark and the region as a whole. For many years, the Legislature has worked to ensure that communities such as the South Ward be considered as high priority areas and included in the Port Authority’s multi-phase plan. With this investment, many lives will be changed by improving transit access and connectivity for so many families. This will create a stronger and more vibrant economic development footprint. It will afford families greater accessibility and opportunities. Change is possible, and today, we celebrate on a promise delivered.”

New Jersey Sen. Joseph Cryan – “Public transportation is about moving people around in a more efficient, affordable manner. The Newark (EWR) station Access Project will provide the residents of Elizabeth and Newark a one-seat ride into NYC and easier access to Newark Liberty airport for commuters and travelers alike. I am grateful that the PANYNJ has recognized the transportation needs of my constituents in District 20 and is moving forward with a commonsense plan.”

New Jersey Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin – “The Newark Liberty International Airport Access Project at NEC is both welcome and long awaited by the residents who live adjacent to the airport but have not had easy access to it. For the local community members who either work at the airport, or who fly out of it, this project meets the need and provides a significant benefit. I look forward to working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the EWR redevelopment as it plans for the future. The Access Project is an important first step.”

New Jersey Assemblywoman Shanique Speight – “As an assemblywoman in the 29th Legislative District, I am excited to see the improvements that are being made by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners to increase access to public transportation to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This new initiative would play an important role for New Jerseyans who are unable to drive, including those without access to personal vehicles, elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. The EWR Station Access will result in less pollution resulting in improved air quality, fewer cars on the road, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This project is important and necessary in the city of Newark and I look forward to seeing the EWR Station Access plan implemented.”

New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano – “Investments in accessible transportation are critical to ensuring all of our communities have the ability to thrive. Whether it’s improving access to get to the airport, or bringing down commute times, the Port Authority’s ongoing work to improve community connectivity to historically disadvantaged communities is an exciting show of progress for our communities.”

New Jersey Assemblyman Reginald Atkins – “Great things are achieved when we invest in creating opportunities for everyone, especially those who have been underserved. The $12 million investment for the EWR Station Access Project is not just about improving public transit access, it's a big win because it's also about creating a pathway for success in Newark and Elizabeth. Investments in projects that uplift and empower our community builds a brighter future for all.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka – “The Board of Commissioners’ diligence in meticulous planning and design is entirely in keeping with the way Newark has been moving forward for years. We appreciate the importance of collecting hard data and harnessing knowledge to maximize a positive impact on our quality of life. This project benefits all passengers going in and out of Newark Liberty Airport, but I especially commend Port Authority and its partners for their dedication to the residents of our South and East wards who will enjoy access to fast, affordable, state-of-the-art commuter rail transportation. Contributing to a more robust economy and job market in Newark, this project is as much an economic imperative as it is a moral imperative – and we are grateful for the Board’s commitment to equity and equality.”

Newark Councilman Patrick Council – “I applaud the Port Authority of NY/NJ for taking this critical step, as opening up access is the start of creating economic opportunities for residents in the South Ward. This venture will also help create travel options that will satisfy a need in the community and be welcoming to residents and visitors alike.”

Tom Wright, CEO and President of Regional Plan Association – “The EWR Station Access Project is a vital step towards improving access to Newark Liberty Airport, downtown Newark and New York City. Improving mobility in Newark's Dayton neighborhood is also critical to increasing economic opportunity for one of the lowest-income communities in the region. RPA applauds the Port Authority for prioritizing this investment and maintaining the option of a PATH extension to the station at a future date.”

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