The $2.7-billion facility, New Jersey's largest-ever Port Authority NY and NJ project, is much-anticipated economic driver in virus-ravaged region, but COVID impacts could alter its scope and schedule.

Replacing a manual fuel distribution system at Newark Liberty International Airport with a new automated model—while pumping 2 million gallons of jet fuel through a facility hosting 46.1 million passengers and more than 450,000 flights last year—required a sophisticated game plan and great coordination.