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North Jersey to JFK: Add an Hour Due to Airport Construction

2024-12-04

North Jersey travelers face a significant change in their travel plans due to ongoing construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This construction, which includes the building of two new terminals and upgrades to the airport roadways, is causing delays and requiring an extra hour of travel time.

Navigating Airport Construction: Impact on North Jersey Travelers

Construction at JFK and Its Impact

North Jersey travelers using John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City now need to budget an extra hour of travel time. This is because of the delays stemming from the construction of two new terminals and upgrades to the airport roadways. All told, it means arriving for a flight three hours early at JFK Airport instead of the typically recommended two hours early. A $19.5 billion project to build brand-new Terminals 1 and 6 is at the height of construction. Terminal 1, which will be 2.4 million square feet and open in 2026, costs $9.5 billion. Terminal 6, which is 1.2 million square feet and also opening in 2026, costs $4.2 billion. Renovations on Terminal 4 were completed this year and on Terminal 8 in 2022. Additionally, $3.9 billion worth of new roadways around the airport are slated for completion in 2026. Construction is particularly challenging as the airport needs to maintain full operations while rebuilding. The travel season is expected to be busy going into the holidays. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2023, the Transportation Security Administration screened over 91,000 passengers, and this year it screened over 105,000 passengers.

Efforts to Cut Vehicle Traffic at JFK

Since June, the Port Authority has managed to remove 4,000 daily cars from the roads going into JFK. This is thanks to efforts like the addition of peak-hour AirTrain trips from the Jamaica station, which can be reached on the E, J, and Z New York City subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road. Jessica Forse, a project lead for JFK Airport, said this has been a significant step in reducing traffic. The Port Authority also slashed AirTrain fares in half over the summer to encourage more people to use public transit. They created a designated pickup and drop-off spot away from the congested terminal entrances. Passengers can take the AirTrain via the Lefferts Boulevard station to get to the pickup/drop-off area. The Port Authority said this ride takes an average of eight minutes and costs nothing for travelers.

New Terminal at Newark Liberty

Meanwhile, at Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port Authority is building on the success of its new Terminal A. In October, they unveiled a sweeping plan to modernize the rest of the 96-year-old airport, which handled a record number of passengers last year. The plan calls for a new international terminal to replace Terminal B and upgrades to Terminal C, both of which date to the 1970s. The new Terminal A could also be expanded. There would be major changes to the taxiway area for planes to reduce air traffic delays and accommodate the trend toward larger aircraft. Areas outside the terminals would be expanded and improved to provide more room for vehicles to drop off and pick up passengers and to reduce walking distances. However, the new plan is still just a concept, and actual construction is years away. The Port Authority expects to begin a two- to three-year planning process in 2025 for major elements of the redevelopment, including cost projections.Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor, and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record. Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter: @danielmunoz100 and Facebook.

Roanoke, Virginia is a city with ongoing construction activities that residents and commuters need to be aware of. One of the significant projects involves widening the northbound Interstate 581 off-ramp and extending the turn lane onto Williamson Road. This construction includes the installation of a traffic signal that utilizes a sensor to prevent back-ups. Although there may be some night-time lane closures on US-460 eastbound, the impact is expected to be minimal, and the construction is anticipated to be completed by next November.

Adding a Much-Needed Bus Stop Shelter

Crews are actively working on building a much-needed shelter for a bus stop located across from Sheetz near the King Street intersection. Roanoke City Council approved this project during the summer after expressing concerns about safety in that busy area. At that time, it was humorously dubbed “Roanoke’s sorriest bus stop.”

Widening the Interstate 581 Off-Ramp

The widening of the northbound Interstate 581 off-ramp is a crucial aspect of this construction project. By extending the turn lane onto Williamson Road, it aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The installation of the traffic signal with a sensor is a smart addition as it helps prevent backups and ensures a smoother flow of vehicles. This improvement will not only benefit commuters but also enhance the overall transportation system in the area. 1: The widening of the off-ramp is a significant step towards meeting the growing traffic demands in the region. It provides more space for vehicles to merge onto Williamson Road, reducing the chances of accidents and delays. The sensor-based traffic signal is a modern technology that responds quickly to changes in traffic volume, ensuring that the traffic moves smoothly even during peak hours. 2: This construction project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy as well. With improved traffic flow, businesses along Orange Avenue are likely to see an increase in customer traffic. It will also make it easier for residents and visitors to access various destinations in the city, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Building the Bus Stop Shelter

The construction of the bus stop shelter is a much-needed addition to the area. It provides much-needed protection for commuters during inclement weather, making their waiting experience more comfortable. The approval of this project by Roanoke City Council shows their commitment to improving public transportation and ensuring the safety of passengers. 1: The location of the bus stop shelter across from Sheetz near the King Street intersection is strategically chosen. It provides easy access for commuters who are traveling to and from different parts of the city. The shelter will be equipped with basic amenities such as seating and lighting, making it a more pleasant waiting area. 2: The addition of the bus stop shelter is part of the city's efforts to enhance the public transportation infrastructure. It will encourage more people to use public transportation, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. This is a step in the right direction towards creating a more sustainable and livable city.

Othello is set to witness the construction of two new roundabouts in 2025. These projects are expected to have a significant impact on the local traffic and infrastructure. One roundabout will be located on State Route 17, affecting travelers who might otherwise bypass the city. Another roundabout is planned at the intersection of SR 17 and Cunningham Road - Main Street, which was originally scheduled for this year but has been pushed back to 2025.

Key Features and Benefits

The roundabout at the intersection of SR 17 and Cunningham Road will be a compact design with lower curbs and without the mound of rocks in the center. This design is suitable for heavy traffic and large trucks that frequently pass through the area. It will have a fully mountable truck apron to ensure smooth passage for these vehicles.The roundabout on State Route 26 and South First Avenue will cost approximately $3.8 million and is expected to take about 55 working days or three months to complete. During construction, drivers should be prepared for delays as one-lane traffic with temporary signals will be in place. Traffic on city and county roads will be detoured to ensure the safety of construction workers and motorists.The SR 17 roundabout project has a total cost of about $7.1 million and is projected to take about 59 working days. Crews will start with pavement repair using flaggers and then control traffic with a temporary signal at the intersection. At the end of the construction, the roundabout will be open but not striped, and the striping will be done at night.

Impact on Traffic

Once the roundabouts are completed, drivers will be able to cross SR 26 from South First Avenue to State Route 24 (South Broadway Avenue in Othello) without the need for a detour via Columbia Street. Currently, this intersection requires a detour, but with the new roundabout, left turns from SR 26 to SR 24 will be allowed.For the SR 17 roundabout, it will improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection. Travelers will no longer have to navigate through complex traffic patterns and will have a more efficient way to move through the area.

Funding and Scheduling

The choice of improvements at South First Avenue was influenced by funding. This particular roundabout is a compact design and does not require right of way to build, which made it eligible for funding.Department of Transportation officials are working hard to schedule the projects to minimize the overlap between them. They have included early incentives for the contractor to complete the work as quickly as possible and avoid any delays. However, the construction dates are still to be determined, and it is up in the air at the moment.In conclusion, these new roundabouts in Othello are an important step in improving the local traffic and infrastructure. While the timelines may be uncertain, the projects are expected to bring significant benefits to the community once completed.