Groundbreaking Held New Terminal At Newark Liberty International Airport

NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) -- We’ve already heard about improvements planned for John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports, and now plans have been outlined for a new terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the airport on Wednesday, and WCBS 880’s Peter Haskell was there.

With its drab, dated décor and small bathrooms, even Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Kevin O’Toole admits the existing terminal is a dump.

"It is almost uninhabitable right now," O’Toole said.

VIDEO. Ceremonial groundbreaking for new Terminal One @EWRairport. @PANYNJ officials say the 1mil sf facility will be state-of-the-art and improve the customer experience. It should open in 2021. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/3JIqxOFGkA

— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) October 10, 2018

The new Terminal 1 will be about 20 percent larger with 33 gates. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton thinks the difference will be night and day.

"The new terminal is going to be state of the art,” Cotton said. “It's going to have the best possible security. It's going to have improved passenger amenities and all of the efficiencies that airports have adopted."

They are also adding 140 acres on the air side.

"There will be taxiway improvements also to improve the movement of planes,” Cotton said. “It is all designed to develop a much more efficient passenger-friendly operation."

New, spacious Terminal One at Newark-Liberty will be 25% larger than the existing Terminal A. @PANYNJ officials says customer experience should improve and be more efficient. Additional taxiways also. Facility should open in 2021. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/gpG4L7OLPd

— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) October 10, 2018

The $2.7 billion project should open in 2021.