Newark Airport Terminal B Bridges and Pump Stations

As America’s oldest airfield and home to the first commercial airline terminal, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) made aviation history when it opened in 1928.

Today it serves as a critical transportation artery for the New York City metropolitan area. As part of continual upgrades and maintenance, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) called for upgrades to EWR’s lower level passenger arrival hall to accommodate over 35 million people each year. The agency also wanted to eliminate parking lot flooding issues.

Conti installed new underground pump stations for flood control, constructed a new bridge structure, and widened a second bridge to provide access to the new lower level of Passenger Terminal B. The team constructed three storm water pumps for evacuation of storm water, collectively capable of expelling over 45,000 gallons of water per minute from EWR’s parking lots. Conti performed shoring, dewatering, permit procurement, excavations, and sheet piling during these operations. As a part of the two-phase bridge construction, Conti poured approximately 175 cubic yards of 4,000-psi category IV Port Authority concrete for each phase, all along two bridge decks that each measured over 190 feet long.

The team handled over 300 client-driven modifications resulting from unforeseen conditions and still completed work on schedule and on budget, while keeping parking spaces and pedestrian walkways open throughout the project.

Conti’s work alleviated the frequent flood issues that plagued one of the nation’s most important airports, and also allowed for easier access for travelers.