Dive Brief:
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie presided over the groundbreaking Tuesday for a $2.4 billion renovation of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, according to ABC 7.
- The overhaul in and around the 44-year-old airport will include three new bridges, a new parking garage and a complete revamp of the terminal's interior so that it can handle more passengers, The New York Times reported. It is expected to be complete in 2022.
- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the project will generate more than 10,000 jobs — representing $1 billion in wages — and nearly $4 billion in economic benefit for the region.
Dive Insight:
Liberty International joins the list of airports all over the country that are revitalizing their existing terminals or building new ones to accommodate more passengers and to provide modern services.
After well-publicized digs about its outdated facilities, LaGuardia Airport in New York City is underway with a $4 billion terminal project. The project is being completed as a public-private partnership under the management of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, which includes construction industry heavy hitters like Skanska USA and Meridiam Infrastructure.
Tampa International Airport is also in the midst of a $2.3 billion multiphase expansion, with a more commercial angle. While the $971 million first phase includes standard airport features like retail, restaurants, a people mover system and rental car center, the $543 million second phase — just approved by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority — will focus on 17 acres of land surrounding the airport.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is also supporting more basic airport facility upgrades and repairs through $528 million of airport improvement grants, a spending initiative the agency announced earlier this month. The funding will allow 584 airports to take on lighting, fencing and other repair projects.
While the money will help airports address their essential needs, according to the latest Airports Council International—North America report, all the necessary upgrades and repairs at the nation's airports would cost approximately $100 billion over five years.
