NEWARK, NJ — Port Authority officials approved a big chunk of the $2.3 billion Terminal A Redevelopment Program at Newark Liberty International Airport this week. The financial approvals come amidst an "unprecedented growth in passenger traffic" at the busy airport, officials said.

On Thursday, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved $496 million for major landside and airside projects as part of the overall $2.3 billion "Terminal A Redevelopment Program" at Newark Liberty International Airport. The Terminal A redevelopment plan includes a 1 million square foot terminal with the capacity for 33 aircraft gates and parking for about 3,000 vehicles, Port Authority officials said.

Work authorized Thursday includes "extensive paving work and the milling of existing pavement; the demolition of buildings, concourses and satellites; installation of a new drainage system; construction of four new bridge structures, and taxi lane lighting and new curbing." The new passenger terminal, to be known as "Terminal One" to avoid confusion with the existing and operational Terminal A, is scheduled for a partial opening in 2021. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2022.

The redevelopment program, approved by the Port Authority board in March, projects the creation of 10,390 jobs, $998 million in wages and $3.93 billion in regional economic activity, officials said. "Newark Liberty is experiencing unprecedented growth in passenger traffic, up about 7 percent this year and on pace to greatly exceed the record 40 million customers we served in 2016," Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said.

"Thursday's authorizations will help accelerate a program that everyone agrees is vital to the airport's future success," Port Authority Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lynford said.

PARKING AND AIRTRAIN

Port Authority officials said that an additional $250 million was authorized Thursday for two new projects directly tied to terminal redevelopment: $175 million to pave 40 airside acres to create needed aircraft parking positions, and $75 million for foundation work on new terminal frontage to accommodate a future AirTrain alignment. These projects, which are being funded "through PFC collections and other offsets to the existing capital plan," will be implemented by program contractors concurrent with the Terminal A airside and landside work, officials said.