The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved an additional $35 million in funding to jumpstart the planning and design process for a new Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This move is the first substantial action to implement the newly introduced EWR Vision Plan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Newark Liberty into a world-class international gateway.

With the newly approved funds, combined with $20 million from a previous allocation, the total $55 million will support preliminary design and planning for a modernized Terminal B, as well as assessments of associated infrastructure and utility needs. The new terminal is intended to replace the existing Terminal B, which opened in 1973 and was designed to accommodate 6.8 million annual passengers. In contrast, Terminal B handled roughly 12.3 million passengers in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for modernization.

“By initiating the planning for a new, world-class Terminal B, we’re not wasting any time in bringing the EWR Vision Plan to life,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This funding will support early planning efforts, including funding strategies, as we work to ensure Newark Liberty meets the highest international standards.”

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton echoed this vision, emphasizing that the redevelopment will build on the recent success of Terminal A. “This funding enables us to lay the groundwork for a new Terminal B that matches the award-winning quality of Terminal A,” Cotton noted. “Our recent achievements at Newark and LaGuardia, combined with ongoing projects at JFK, prove that the Port Authority is equipped to deliver top-tier airport facilities.”

The EWR Vision Plan, developed with design firm Arup and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, outlines a transformative blueprint for Newark Liberty that includes modernized terminals, an intuitive roadway system, and a reconfigured taxiway to streamline operations and reduce delays. The plan, announced earlier this month in the new Terminal A, was shaped by extensive consultations with airport tenants, partners, and the public, ensuring it reflects the needs of passengers, airlines, and the local community.

The funding will not only advance planning for Terminal B but also address integration with ongoing projects, such as the replacement of the existing AirTrain system with a new automated model and a new rail access point to improve transit options for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth. The Port Authority’s ultimate goal is to build on Newark Liberty’s recent accolades, including Terminal A’s designation as “world’s best new airport terminal” by Skytrax in 2024, and establish Newark Liberty as a leading global airport.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)