In our Spotlight on Business report tonight, a major upgrade is finally on track at Newark Airport.

After years of delays and rising costs, the Port Authority today broke ground on a new air train system, overhauling a decades-old line that shuttles tens of thousands of passengers every day.

It's long been criticized as outdated and overburdened.

As Raven Santana reports, the project though comes with a steep price tag and years of construction ahead.

After years of delays and debate, it's finally happening.

Elected officials and leaders from the Port Authority are breaking ground on a long-awaited new air train at Newark Liberty International Airport.

A project with a 3.5 billion dollar price tag.

"50 million people come in here every single year.

50 million people see Newark Liberty.

And this is what they're going to see, a new Terminal A, a new Terminal B, Newark Access, a new air train."

It's been a decade since the Port Authority first announced plans to replace the original air train built almost 30 years ago.

The system currently moves tens of thousands of passengers every day between terminals, parking lots and rental car centers and connects directly to NJ Transit.

The airport couldn't operate the old one, which you can see and again, which the chairman recited the history of, way past its design life, way past due to be replaced and it will be replaced.

It's kind of heartbreaking and I'm not really sure if that's the right word to use, but to access our award-winning, world-class, brand-new, beautiful Terminal A with the existing Airtrain Newark.

Time and again I've heard how crowded the current Airtrain is and how challenging it is to use, especially if you're traveling with a group and, heaven forbid, if you're bringing luggage with you.

It's no wonder, in 1996, when the original Airtrain Newark opened, this airport served fewer than 30 million annual customers.

And last year, we served just about 49 million customers, and a forecast is continuing for that number to grow annually, year over year, highlighting just how important this new rail service will be for our customers.

The new system will run about 2.5 miles and officials say it'll move more people faster and make getting around the airport easier.

We're designing not just a transit system but an experience with spacious platforms, intuitive dynamic signage, natural light and local art throughout the three new stations that will be built.

The new fleet will feature seven five-car trains, each holding 135 to 160 passengers with luggage more than double the current capacity.

Most importantly is the connection that will occur off of Freeling Heights and Avenue where people can drive there, drop their family off, they can walk upstairs, get on the air train and get to Terminal A, B or C. The 50,000 people the new air train can accommodate matters.

It is a piece of our commitment to making Newark a world-class airport.

We all know that Newark Liberty is a vital hub for travel and for all the economic opportunity, jobs and community growth that comes with it.

This airport connects people to families, businesses to markets and workers to livelihoods.

We know that traveling is the price point is getting to where it's completely out of control.

We should not have uncomfortable spaces with our families moments before we're going to go on a vacation.

Bathrooms should be clean.

Changing rooms should be available.

Accessibility movement around getting in line to get food, whatever it is.

And you're beginning to see that transformation construction for the new air train newark system will begin this year and slated to be up and running by 2030. the port authority is promising a smoother faster connection between newark's terminals parking and nj transit stop.

for nj spotlight news i'm raven santana.

support for the business report is provided by the newark alliance presents the 2025 housie fest featuring the vibrancy of newark's arts and education district and housie street housie a neighborhood built on hustle and heart The 2025 housie fest schedule is available at housienwk.com [music]