The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has reopened Runway 4R-22L at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the US following the completion of rehabilitation work.
With the reopening of this ‘major’ runway after a three-month closure, all airport runways are now operational during peak hours.
Some of the auxiliary work such as taxiway and lighting improvements will continue until the second quarter of next year.
These include the modernisation of the Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) power infrastructure, the replacement and installation of fixtures, as well as related electrical infrastructure for the remaining runway and taxiway lighting systems.
PANYNJ began the $84.2m rehabilitation project at EWR in April.
The runway was initially scheduled to reopen on 1 October, but the work was fast-tracked due to reduced flight schedules amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before the pandemic, Runway 4R-22L managed almost half of the airport’s flight activity.
This runway improvement project was carried out in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airlines to reduce operational bearings.
The rehabilitation work on Runway 4R-22L included milling and repaving of the runway surface with asphalt, as well as renovating runway shoulders and intersecting taxiways.
It also covered the complete replacement of electrical infrastructure and the addition of new light fixtures, signage and pavements across the runway.
The project witnessed the deployment of over 64,000 linear feet of electrical conduit.
The surface of the runway, which was last renewed in 2012, deteriorated as a result of use.
Last week, PANYNJ announced that it is ready to begin the final construction phases of the new Terminal A at EWR.
The new Terminal A, which is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of next year, will feature 21 gates.
