One of Newark Liberty International Airport’s major runways is getting an $84.2 million makeover, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced April 16.
The runway, which prior to the pandemic saw 47% of Newark Liberty’s total use, was last rehabilitated in 2012 and has shown surface deterioration due to normal wear associated with use.
Runways typically get rehabilitated every eight to 10 years, said the Port Authority, which plans to complete the project by the end of the second quarter of 2022.
“This project will provide a welcome boost across the region by creating badly needed new jobs and energizing the economy as we continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole on Runway 4R-22L.
Sen. Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton, Port Authority Board Chair Kevin O’Toole, Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Port Authority Director of Aviation Huntley Lawrence sign the last piece of steel to be added to Terminal One at Newark International Airport on Oct. 23, 2019. – DANIEL J. MUNOZ
“Maintaining runways in top-flight condition is the lifeblood of our airports and essential to keeping our facilities operating at the highest level,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We are committed to ensuring that all of our airports continue to provide best-in-class facilities, services and operations for our customers and our airlines.”
Newark Liberty is one of the nation’s busiest airports, handling 46.5 million air passengers in 2019.
The scope of the project includes the milling and repaving with asphalt of the runway surface and the renovation of runway shoulders and intersecting taxiways, along with the complete replacement of the electrical infrastructure and the addition of new light fixtures. The project will also provide totally new pavement and new signage across the runway.
A full closure of the runway is scheduled for July 6 through October 1 with the Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines directing flight activity to the other runways at Newark Liberty during this period.
The estimated project cost includes approximately $50 million for construction with additional spending on planning, engineering, and other elements of the project.
The total economic activity for this project is projected to be 783 total job years and nearly $60 million in total payroll wages.
