The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to four heavyweight teams shortlisted for the contract to design, build, operate and maintain a new AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The 2.5-mile elevated rail transit link, estimated to cost some $2.05bn, replaces the existing monorial built in 1996 (pictured), and will take passengers to and from the new, 1-million-square-foot terminal replacing the existing Terminal A.The old AirTrain “has outlived its useful life and is desperately in need of replacement,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.  The four teams are:

Liberty AirTrain Partners: Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., SNC-Lavalin Project Services Inc., COWI North America, Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.)

Liberty Integrated Connectors: Dragados USA Inc., Halmar International LLC, Schiavone Construction Co. LLC, HDR Engineering, Inc., and BYD Transit Solutions LLC

Liberty Mobility Express: Kiewit Infrastructure Co., Tully Construction Co. Inc., Aecom USA Inc., and Alstom Bombardier Transportation (Holdings) USA Inc.

Tutor Perini/Parsons JV: Tutor-Perini Corporation, Parsons Construction Group, Inc., and DCCCA1 Inc. (Doppelmayr)

They were deemed qualified after a review of Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) that included financial capability, past project experience and team approach and structure, among other factors.Groundbreaking on the project expected in mid-2022, the same year the new Terminal A is expected to open.Governor Phil Murphy said the AirTrain was “a key step to modernise and improve efficiency” at the airport.