Mercer County Exec Benson breaks ground on new Trenton-Mercer Airport Firehouse

EWING, N.J. – On Oct. 9, 2024, County Exec. Dan Benson joined Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, leaders from organized labor, and elected officials from across Mercer County to break ground on Trenton-Mercer Airport’s (TTN) long-awaited Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility.

“Today’s ground-breaking is an important milestone in the first year of my administration,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.

“When I ran for this office, I pledged to see the Terminal Replacement Project through to completion and build it with union labor. The new firehouse is the first step towards realizing Trenton-Mercer Airport’s potential as a transportation and economic hub.”

The new structure will replace the airport’s existing firehouse facility, and marks the first step in the larger Trenton-Mercer Airport Terminal Replacement Project. In addition to housing the Trenton-Mercer Airport Fire Department, the firehouse will also serve as a firehouse for the Ewing Township Fire Department, under a shared services agreement.

“This moment marks an important step forward not just for the airport, but for our entire community,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.

“It’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the people of New Jersey have access to the best infrastructure, public safety, and job opportunities possible. Whether it’s improving runways, upgrading facilities, or -as we see today- ensuring that we have a state-of-the-art fire station, we are delivering on the promise to build a better, safer future for our great state.”

The new building will replace the existing TTN firehouse with a modern state-of-the-art firehouse. The two-floor facility will provide 20,000 square feet of floor space, including training areas, equipment storage, medical decontamination rooms, workshops, and a conference room. The facility was designed to be energy efficient, and the plan includes a stormwater system to reduce runoff and mitigate any impact on the natural environment.

The TTN Terminal Replacement Project will be the largest public-works project in Mercer County in more than fifty years. Once complete, the project will establish TTN as a major regional hub for travel and business, bringing resources and jobs into the county economy while making travel easier and more convenient for residents of the region. All work on the project will utilize local union labor, under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). The PLA ensures that money spent on the project will flow back into the local economy, and that the construction will be completed safely by qualified workers committed to delivering the highest quality of construction.

“I commend County Executive Benson for his leadership, and for his commitment to finishing the job we started today by breaking ground on the new ARFF facility,” said Wayne DeAngelo, President of the Mercer County Building Trades Council. “This project is a tremendous win for working families here in Mercer County. When we build with union labor, the job is done safely, on-time, and under budget. I am confident that the men and women working on this job will do exceptional work.”

“The groundbreaking for the new ARFF Fire Station is a big win for our community and shows what teamwork between Ewing Township and Mercer County can do,” said Ewing Mayor Bert H. Steinmann. “This project doesn’t just give us a stronger firehouse—it’s part of a well-coordinated plan. We need this in place to move forward and clear the ground for the county’s new terminal. Every piece has to fall into place just right, and this is a major step toward getting it done.”

“The Trenton-Mercer Airport is a vital transportation hub, not only for Trenton residents but for travelers across the region,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “The construction of this new firehouse will ensure that we are better equipped to protect passengers, staff, and our airport infrastructure as the airport continues to grow and service the region.”

“The fire team at Trenton-Mercer Airport handles hazmat, fires, aircraft incidents, as well as issues of public safety that most of us never have to worry about,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli. “As the chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Public Safety Committee, it’s exciting to see leaders at all levels of government banding together to support a public-safety project, built by union labor, that will benefit all of Mercer County.”

“The groundbreaking on our new Trenton-Mercer ARFF is a major win for operations and fire services here at the Airport,” said John Cimino, Chair of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. As we look to upgrade our airport we must improve surrounding infrastructure. The fact that the project is utilizing local skilled labor is another huge victory.”

“The best things that government can invest money in are projects that will yield multiplying returns for the community,” said Kristin McLaughlin, Vice-Chair of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. “There’s some really excited growth happening in Mercer County, we need to capitalize on that energy and keep it going.”

The new ARFF facility was designed by DY Consultants, with support from architects at Mott MacDonald. The AECOM/Tishman/Jingoli team are contracted as the Owner’s Representative for the project. The environmental permitting was performed by DY Consultants with assistance from the Davey Resource Group and Van Cleef Engineering. Epic Management is the construction contractor. The Environmental Assessment was conducted by Urban Engineers and McFarland Johnson.

The Trenton-Mercer Fire Department is operated by Pro-Tec Fire Services.