Newark Airport Taxiways to Receive Improvements

The Port Authority's commissioners have voted to spend $31.5 million on two high-speed taxiways at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Officials say the project will help aircraft maneuver to and from gates more quickly and will cut pollution by reducing idling time.

Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni said the old taxiways require planes to slow down to handle right angles. High-speed taxiways are angled more gently.

A Port Authority spokesman said the new taxiways would save about 30 seconds on an average flight.

The Port Authority's Board of Commissioners approved the taxiway project at its meeting Thursday.

The board also agreed to contribute $1.3 million to Essex County for the Riverbank Park Extension in Newark. The authorization brings the agency's investment in the park extension up to $9 million.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)