Newark Liberty International Airport will resume regular runway operations on Monday, June 2, as rehabilitation work on one of its primary runways wraps up 13 days ahead of schedule, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Friday.
The project focused on Runway 4L-22R, which required extensive upgrades to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. The accelerated completion follows efforts by the Port Authority to mitigate disruptions to airport capacity caused by the runway’s closure, including round-the-clock construction and the deployment of additional crews.
Originally scheduled for completion on June 15, the $121 million rehabilitation project began in early March and included a full 24/7 closure of the runway starting April 15. Work included milling and repaving the 11,000-foot runway, upgrading lighting systems, improving signage with LED technology, enhancing underground electrical infrastructure, and installing drainage systems.
The early reopening comes amid ongoing FAA staffing shortages that have limited the agency’s ability to manage air traffic using the remaining two operational runways during the project. In response, the Port Authority expanded work shifts, brought in outside labor from other construction projects, and added a second asphalt production facility to expedite progress.
Runway 4L-22R was last rehabilitated in 2014. Runways typically require repaving every 10 years.
“This milestone is critical as we head into the busy summer travel season,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The earlier reopening will help ease congestion and improve safety as efforts continue to strengthen air traffic control infrastructure and staffing.”
Governor Murphy praised the coordination between state and federal partners. “New Jersey will continue to support plans to modernize our air traffic control system and ensure adequate staffing,” he said.
According to the Port Authority, while full operations on the runway will resume Monday, additional closures will be necessary to complete remaining work. Weeknight closures will continue through the end of the year, and weekend closures will resume from September through December.
The project is part of a broader, multi-billion-dollar investment by the Port Authority to modernize Newark Liberty International Airport. Other recent improvements include the 2023 opening of the new Terminal A and ongoing work toward a new AirTrain Newark system. The agency also unveiled the EWR Vision Plan in 2024, aimed at a full reimagining of the airport’s infrastructure and design.
Newark Liberty’s other main runway, 4R-22L, was last rehabilitated in 2021 with minimal operational impact. Throughout the current project, runways 4R-22L and 11-29 have remained in use, subject to weather conditions.