The best way to improve and expand Newark Liberty International Airport would be to tear it down and build a new facility, according to a regional transportation advisory panel’s report.
NJ.com reports that the Regional Plan Association proposed spending $20 billion over the next 40 years to replace the busy, New York area air hub in four stages, starting with the demolition of the airport’s oldest terminals. The plan also calls for adding a third runway at the airport.
Newark handled 43.3 million passengers in 2017, but is ranked among the nation’s worst airports for on-time performance, flight cancellations, and other service metrics.
The plan envisions Newark handling 60 million passengers annually by 2060.
A central “head house” would greet all arriving passengers and include facilities for check-in, baggage handling, and security checkpoints.
An automated train would then transport travellers to terminals. The head house also would have a new transit station connecting to New Jersey Transit, PATH, and Amtrak trains.
The plan for Newark is part of a broader, $50 billion vision for improving all three of New York’s international airports.
