Newark Airport's New $2.7 Billion Terminal Will Ease Passenger Woes

Newark Liberty International Airport, (EWR), one of the busiest international airports in the country, is currently renovating its oldest terminal, Terminal A, and turning it into a one-million-square-foot, state-of-the-art passenger terminal. The project, which is calling the updated terminal 'Terminal One,' broke ground in June 2017, and hopes to have a partial opening by 2021. Officials expect Terminal One to be fully operational by 2022.

The new development will cost $2.7 billion, and officials hope that the new construction will reduce passenger congestion. Terminal One will not only update the technology at the 45-year-old airport, but it also includes the addition of 33 gates, a new 3,000-car parking garage, new roadways, a pedestrian bridge and new dining and retail spaces.

Last week, additional funding of $1.41 billion was approved by Commissioners for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — both operate the airport in conjunction. Port Authority officials also chose the crews that will design and construct Terminal One: Tutor Perini Corporation and Parsons Transportation Group Inc.

Last year, Newark Airport hosted more than 40 million travelers. In 2016, 10.6 million passengers traveled through Terminal A alone. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said that Terminal A can no longer accommodate growing traveler needs, according to NJ.com.

Newark isn't the only airport getting a multi-billion dollar renovation — Chicago O'Hare is currently finalizing plans to expand the city's biggest airport in a deal that will cost more than $8 billion.

Newark's new terminal is expected to create more than 23,000 jobs, $4.6 billion in economic activity and $1.9 billion in wages in the New Jersey area.