The Port Authority is breaking ground on a new AirTrain system at Newark Liberty Airport.

The project will replace the current 2.5-mile line, which opened in 1996 and has faced breakdowns and delays.

The new cable-driven system will include three stations and seven five-car trains, doubling capacity.

Port Authority Aviation Director Sarah McKeon says the airport served nearly 49 million passengers last year, up from fewer than 30 million in 1996. Officials say the upgrade is needed to meet rising demand, with ridership projected to grow 50% by 2040.

Construction will take five years, with the new AirTrain expected to be ready to ride in 2030.

The current system will remain in operation during construction.

The project’s cost has grown from $2 billion to $3.5 billion due to pandemic delays and inflation.