According to Gov. Phil Murphy, the announcement "comes in response to New Jerseyans and New Yorkers who are rightfully demanding better. Together with our regional partners we are answering that call to ensure that the millions of Americans who utilize our public transportation system finally receive the service they deserve.”

A hedge fund watchdog group alleges that the bi-state agency rushed through a multimillion dollar arrangement with the retail giant to redevelop two aging airport buildings into a 250,000-square-foot air cargo campus in Newark via backroom talks, and without any community input.

The e-commerce giant signed a 20-year lease intending to redevelop two aging buildings into a massive cargo facility, but some advocacy groups say the move could be harmful to the environment, and workers’ health and safety.

The decision from the FAA marks the clearing of a key hurdle for the project to replace the 2.5-mile train system that opened in 1996 and has remained “vulnerable to frequent breakdowns and delays."

Under a 20-year lease with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the retail giant will redevelop two aging buildings into a 250,000-square-foot air cargo campus.

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and state officials said they will go toward a $176 million, 10-year project to upgrade the crowded road network along the 930-acre Port Newark.

Business at the airport is modernizing and expanding to meet the fast-growing service and warehousing demand.

An increase approved by the Port Authority in 2018 pushed many employees out of Medicaid eligibility prompting this legislation, which Gov. Phil Murphy estimated could affect more than 10,000 workers at Newark airport, whose jobs include baggage claim, wheelchair attendants, security, passenger verification agents and retail workers.

Three new members were nominated to the bistate agency as well as one renominated. aThree new members were nominated to the bistate agency, while Kevin McCabe was renominated.