Port Authority Signs $1.24 Billion Contract to Design and Build JFK International Airport’s New, Simplified Roadway Network, Ground Transportation Center and Supporting Infrastructure
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced today that it has signed a $1.24 billion contract to design and build John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)’s new streamlined roadways, ground transportation center and supporting infrastructure with a joint venture of Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, and Halmar International LLC. The joint venture partners will leverage their diverse experience to deliver the centerpiece of the JFK redevelopment program. Parsons Corporation will serve as lead designer for the project.
The project is a key part of the $19 billion public-private transformation of JFK into a world-class airport. When complete, it will dramatically improve access to the airport by simplifying the existing complex roadway network, providing easier to navigate access to terminals with improved frontage areas, and building a new ground transportation center for passengers to connect to taxis, for-hire vehicles, mass transit and parking.
“The transformation of JFK into a global gateway that will rival the best in the world would not be complete without the roads, parking and infrastructure to match,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “When we are done, JFK will be as easy to access as it is beautiful to behold, serving as the front door to the region that it deserves.”
“We are committed to creating a world-class passenger experience at JFK, from the spacious new terminals already underway that will be among the best in the world to the streamlined roadways and a best-in-class ground transportation center that will be built under the new contract announced today,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “As with every project in the public-private $19 billion JFK redevelopment, this contract will also provide historic opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses and local businesses.”
The design-build project consists of the design and construction of the on-airport roadway transportation network, which includes roadway reconfiguration, maintenance and protection of traffic during construction, intuitive wayfinding and enhanced traffic technologies, at-grade pavement, retaining walls and bridges as well as utility relocations and upgrades. The project also delivers on the agency’s commitment to sustainability, targeting Envision v3 gold and USGBC Parksmart silver certifications. At the core of the project is a contemporary and world-class ground transportation center, which will feature:
A multi-level vehicle parking facility with capacity for 1,950 spaces that will be equipped with electric vehicle charging stations and an eco-conscious timber façade, and will incorporate the latest technology;
A pedestrian connector from the new parking facility to New Terminal One with New York City skyline views, vegetation, and canopies that shelter users from the elements and a rainwater harvesting facility for landscape irrigation;
Extensive green spaces that will redefine the traveling experience.
The contract continues the Port Authority’s mandate to create economic opportunities more equitably at its major capital projects with subcontracting participation goals of 20 percent by minority-owned business enterprises, 10 percent by women-owned business enterprises, 3 percent by service-disabled veteran-owned business and special emphasis on local businesses in all procurement, subcontract, and ancillary service opportunities with this contract.
The project is expected to be completed by December 2027, in line with new terminal construction, providing access for all new terminals at completion without interruptions to existing operations.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to design and construct a world-class landside gateway for one of New York’s most highly traveled international aviation hubs,” said Michael Viggiano, executive vice president for Skanska USA Civil’s East Coast region. “Not only will the project improve connectivity of JFK’s roadway network, but it will also enhance the overall experience for passengers traveling to and from the airport.”
“Our team has worked at every major airport in the New York metropolitan area, including more than 15 contracts working on every area of JFK Airport. We know the airport and we understand the critical nature of aircraft operations and movements security, as well as safe access and customer experience,” said Chris Larsen, CEO of Halmar International LLC. “Together with Skanska, we bring PANYNJ a reliable partner to build the future of JFK the State of New York deserves.”
“Home to one of the busiest airports in the United States’ largest city, JFK International Airport is part of our nation’s economic engine,” said Mark Fialkowski, president of mobility solutions business unit for Parsons. “The new two main loops will simplify roadway operation and create a more travel friendly experience for the more than 62 million passengers who come through JFK each year. We are proud to build on our decades of experience in New York State, partnering with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to continue to move the industry forward and provide exceptional service to the region for decades to come.”
Redeveloping JFK Airport in Lockstep with the Local Community
In 2018, the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council was formed. It is co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and is composed of elected officials, community boards, business and nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, and clergy leaders from the targeted local communities of southeast Queens, southwest Queens, the Rockaways, and western portions of Nassau County.
Since its inception, the council has been working with the Port Authority to expand community outreach efforts and develop community-focused programs, ensuring that this ambitious project solicits ongoing feedback from local stakeholders and provides meaningful opportunities for local businesses, MWBEs, students, and jobseekers. This includes programming to advance the Port Authority's commitment to a 30 percent MWBE contracting goal in all categories of work, and a special focus on opportunities for local businesses across all aspects of the JFK redevelopment program, including terminal projects, which will be built by union labor under a full project-labor agreement. Other community development initiatives prioritized by the council focus on job opportunities and workforce development programs for residents, small business outreach and development, and educational programming for local students.
Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform John F. Kennedy International Airport into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport's south side broke ground in September 2022. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal, is now under construction. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February. Additionally, the $400 million modernization and expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, and British Airways, which relocated to Terminal 8 late last year, was completed in November 2022.
All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority's roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent a $19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships. The Port Authority capital investment of $3.9 billion is leveraging private investment at a rate of nearly four to one when taking into account the full private investment of more than $15 billion that has been committed to the four projects comprising the full JFK redevelopment program.
