Newark Liberty International Airport's Runway 4L-22R is set to reopen on June 2, 13 days ahead of its scheduled completion date. This announcement was made by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The runway had been closed for planned rehabilitation to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards.
The Port Authority worked to accelerate the construction schedule due to FAA staffing and operational challenges affecting air traffic control. Additional crews were brought in, shifts were expanded, and construction was conducted around the clock.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy praised the Port Authority's efforts: “Thank you to the Port Authority for their partnership and hard work in getting Newark’s runway rebuilt ahead of schedule. Great job!” He emphasized that this milestone would help reduce congestion and enhance safety as the busy summer travel season approaches.
Governor Phil Murphy expressed gratitude for the cooperation between New Jersey, the Port Authority, and the FAA: “I commend the crews who have worked tirelessly to get this critical project done ahead of schedule.”
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole highlighted the agency's commitment: “Completing this major portion of the runway rehabilitation 13 days ahead of schedule is a testament to the extraordinary commitment and around-the-clock efforts of construction crews and our airport staff.”
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority, noted that despite challenges related to Newark Liberty’s capacity, they managed to return the runway nearly two weeks early without compromising safety or quality.
The $121 million project began in March with an initial full closure starting April 15. The runway was last rehabilitated in 2014, showing significant wear before this recent project which involved repaving, lighting updates, electrical infrastructure improvements, and drainage enhancements.
Runway closures will continue on weeknights through December as part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts. The airport's other runways remain operational during these periods unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.
The Port Authority has invested significantly in Newark Liberty's modernization including airside improvements like taxiway enhancements alongside passenger-facing upgrades such as Terminal A's opening in 2023.
