b'32 EWR TERMINALSThe COVID pandemic posed additional challenges for theJust the Beginningmulti-year project, including common supply chain issues andThe $2.7 billion Terminal A redevelopment program made a huge difficulty maintaining construction schedules despite limited staffimpact as the largest design-build project ever completed in New and funding.Jersey. Officials estimate that it generated more than $4.6 billion With eight major contracts for the multibillion-dollar program,in regional economic activity, created more than 2,500 jobs and Heitmann worked to make all team members aware of eachprovided more than $1.9 billion in wages. others work. Coordinating project schedules and makingThe new terminal is also the centerpiece necessary adjustments to create a unified design were otherof a $3.3 billion airport-wide redevelopment focus areas.program. EWRs transformation will continue When the terminal was complete, a stand-alone team waswith construction of a new AirTrain Newark assigned to ensure operational readiness for the public opening.system. The current system, which is Familiarization and technical training was conducted to preparereaching the end of its useful life, carries EWR employees and stakeholder personnel working with thenearly 10 million riders each year, providing new systems and assets. A set of intermediate and advancedaccess to the Northeast Corridor Rail LinkRAUL RAMIREZtrials stress-tested stakeholders and the facility by simulatingStation. It also provides airport customers real-life operations with volunteers acting as passengersand employees with crucial ground transportation to/from the departing, transferring through and arriving at the new terminal.terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities.This rigorous process of preparing the terminal for Day OneOther recently completed key projects at EWR include a $400 operations allowed for a successful opening, Heitmann reports.million integrated public parking garage with new centralizedAmong the various work groups, resources were great, addsrental car facilities and a $175 million south airfield pavingRaul Ramirez, aviation project manager at WSP. When it wasproject. time to open the terminal, everyone was available to work the hours needed to facilitate the process. May | June 2023AirportImprovement.com'