Newark Liberty International Airport is set to reopen its runway 4L-22R on Monday, which has been closed for planned rehabilitation, causing significant delays and chaos at the airport. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will hold a news conference to mark the reopening of the 11,000-foot runway, which had shown signs of wear and was deemed unsafe prior to upgrades. The rehabilitation project, costing $121 million, began in early March and includes milling, paving, updating lighting and signs, installing new underground electrical infrastructure, and improving drainage. Initially closed on a limited basis, the runway was fully shut down on April 15 and was scheduled to reopen by June 15, although future closures may occur on weeknights and weekends to ensure full revamping by year-end.
Duffy emphasized that the reopening will facilitate regular operations and help reduce congestion during the busy summer travel season. Two other runways at Newark will remain available during future closures of 4L-22R to minimize disruptions. However, delays and cancellations have also been exacerbated by separate issues, including communications blackouts among air traffic controllers due to equipment failures. This led the FAA to reduce flights to and from Newark until the runway construction was completed.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau noted that the agency aims to alleviate the inconveniences caused by delays stemming from construction, staffing challenges, and existing equipment issues. The runway’s reopening is a significant step toward improving the travel experience at Newark, aiming to enhance safety and streamline air traffic operations as the travel season progresses.
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