Port Authority Advances Plan to Transform Transit and Airport Access for Underserved Newark, Elizabeth Communities

The Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved $160 million for design and construction of the EWR Station Access project, which will add a new entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. The project will greatly improve transit accessibility for underserved Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods, enabling far easier commutes and streamlined airport access. 

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. The public access area will include a pick-up/drop-off point for private vehicles, taxis, buses, and for-hire vehicles, along with bicyclist and pedestrian access. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026. 

The new facility will transform transit access for residents of North Elizabeth and Newark’s South Ward. Transit trips to both Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Newark Penn Station will take under 10 minutes with the new facility. Currently, the same journey via existing transit options from these neighborhoods can take 40 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 rail station serving the airport, consistent with local community-driven planning efforts. 

Currently, accessing the airport for travel or employment is unnecessarily difficult for these neighborhoods, typically requiring a private vehicle or lengthy public transit trip despite close proximity to the AirTrain. 

“My administration is proud to partner with the Port Authority on the latest component in the ambitious plan to transform Newark Airport into a modern, world-class gateway,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “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. An extended pedestrian bridge will provide access to multiple modes of transportation, cutting down travel time significantly, and providing greater and easier access not only to multiple modes of transportation, but to a world of opportunities.” 

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

“This project represents the Port Authority at its best – breaking down barriers and expanding economic opportunity all around our facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Transit access is proven to be a game changer – expanding job options, shortening commutes, and promoting sustainability. We’re proud to help deliver those opportunities to these Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods.” 

The project scope includes a westward extension of the rail station’s existing above-grade pedestrian bridge to a new public access facility built off of Frelinghuysen Avenue. 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 new public access area will provide accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists. Dedicated lanes will allow for streamlined pick-up/drop-off access for buses, private vehicles, taxis, and for-hire vehicles. The 16,350 square-foot facility will also include a cellphone lot for private vehicles. 

The project is anticipated to generate 1,380 total job-years directly and indirectly, $125 million in direct wages, and nearly $300 million in economic activity over the life of the project. 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.

EWR access has been a vocal request of community members for many years, most recently expressed during the agency’s EWR Vision Plan community outreach sessions. The plan will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 and makes recommendations for both short- and long-term projects while emphasizing Newark Airport as a world-class gateway for New Jersey.  

The Port Authority’s planning efforts have included significant community engagement, which will continue through future phases of the project. A town hall-style event was held in Newark’s South Ward in October 2023. Extensive governmental outreach has also been conducted with the state of New Jersey, the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, and local elected officials. The agency has also coordinated with regional transportation and technical partners, including NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and PSE&G. 

Community outreach will continue through the project’s final design and construction phases. This will include direct outreach to civic organizations, additional town hall meetings in the local area prior to the start of construction, and periodic status updates throughout construction.