Since 1996, AirTrain Newark has been transporting up to 12 million travelers each year between the airport’s three terminals, parking and rental car facilities, and Rail Link Station, which connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak rail service from New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station. Although the system continues to operate, it is outdated, requires significant maintenance and repair, and cannot be expanded or upgraded to newer technology to meet its projected ridership demand, which is anticipated to grow by 50% by 2040. With an airport-wide renaissance in the works at EWR, the AirTrain’s current alignment does not provide the required level of service to the new Terminal A or the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) and does not conform to the future airport design.
A new AirTrain is essential to meet the increasing passenger volume and deliver a world-class experience at Newark Liberty International Airport. The new AirTrain Newark will replace the existing one with a modern 2.5-mile automated train system, ensuring passengers and airport workers get where they need to go. Construction will begin in 2025, and passenger service is expected by 2030. Until the new AirTrain is complete, the existing train will continue to service the terminals, ConRAC, parking lots, and the Rail Link Station.
AirTrain EWR by the Numbers
Multi-Phase Procurement Process
The new AirTrain Newark is being delivered through a multi-phase procurement process. The phases consist of:
- The building, manufacturing, delivery, and installation of the system technology
- Early works
- Guideway and stations
- A maintenance and control facility for the system equipment
- Pedestrian connections between new stations and existing airport facilities
- Demolition of the existing AirTrain
Meet the Team
The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the new automated AirTrain system and its vehicles will be handled by Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems. Engineering firm Stantec will design the new maintenance and control facility and the pedestrian connectors and will be responsible for decommissioning the existing AirTrain. The lead contractor for the project is joint venture firm Tutor Perini/O&G. They will design and build the 2.5-mile elevated rail structure and three new stations. As the procurement process continues, the Port Authority expects to award smaller packages related to constructing the new AirTrain's maintenance and control facility, the pedestrian connectors, and the decommissioning of the current system
- Capital Project Delivery
- Design-Build Team
