The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that the agency has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to four industry-leading teams that have been shortlisted to compete for a contract to design, build, operate and maintain a new 21st century, world-class AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Following a Request for Qualifications issued last year, the four shortlisted teams are:

1. Liberty AirTrain Partners - Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., SNC-Lavalin Project Services Inc., COWI North America, Inc., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.
2. Liberty Integrated Connectors - Dragados USA Inc., Halmar International LLC, Schiavone Construction Co. LLC, HDR Engineering, Inc., and BYD Transit Solutions LLC
3. Liberty Mobility Express - Kiewit Infrastructure Co., Tully Construction Co. Inc., AECOM USA Inc., and Alstom Bombardier Transportation (Holdings) USA Inc. 
4. Tutor Perini/Parsons JV - Tutor-Perini Corporation, Parsons Construction Group, Inc., and DCCCA1 Inc. (Doppelmayr)

The four teams were deemed qualified after a thorough technical review of Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) that included financial capability, past project experience and team approach and structure, and approach to customer experience, among other factors. The shortlisted candidates will now advance to the RFP phase, with groundbreaking on the project expected in mid-2022.

The new rail link will be a 2.5-mile elevated guideway that makes up a critical component of the modernization of Newark Liberty. In addition, the new system will be designed to maximize customer convenience with seamless connections to other forms of transportation and provide modern wayfinding, digital tools and amenities in stations and in vehicles. It will connect to the new 1 million square foot terminal replacing the existing Terminal A, as well as the new consolidated rental car facility.