NYC starts decade-long upgrade of Port Authority Bus Terminal.
On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and a number of Port Authority officials, along with local elected representatives, convened to commemorate the commencement of construction for a significant renovation of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, located in Midtown Manhattan. This terminal, which has been in operation for 75 years, has faced criticism for its aging infrastructure and inadequate facilities.
Governor Hochul highlighted the terminal’s crucial role as a gateway for many visitors arriving in New York City. She remarked that the current state of the terminal is less than impressive, noting that it does not meet the standards that the city strives to present. Hochul asserts that improvements are essential for both the commuters who utilize the terminal and the community surrounding it.
Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, did not shy away from emphasizing the facility’s shortcomings. He characterized the terminal as outdated and described its current facade as an “eyesore,” which he believes fails to adequately serve its users or the larger community.
The kickoff event marks the beginning of the first phase of a larger project, which includes a foundational element known as the “decking over” of Dyer Avenue. This avenue is situated below Hell’s Kitchen, serving as a critical connector to the Lincoln Tunnel and the broader New York street grid. When this segment of Dyer Avenue is completed, it will help facilitate bus movements during subsequent phases of the renovation and ultimately lead to the creation of green public space.
The construction will span Dyer Avenue between West 37th and West 38th Streets and also between West 38th and West 39th Streets. Once the project is completed, the new Port Authority Bus Terminal is expected to encompass approximately 2.1 million square feet. The facility will feature modern retail spaces and a vast atrium, alongside newly designed bus ramps that ensure seamless access to the Lincoln Tunnel, thereby minimizing the need for buses to navigate surface streets.
The total investment for this transformative endeavor amounts to billion, which will unfold through two separate Port Authority capital plans. The entire construction process is anticipated to take about 10 years, reflecting the scale and complexity of the project aimed at enhancing public transportation in one of the country’s busiest urban areas.
As the renovation progresses, it will not only address the immediate infrastructural deficiencies but also aim to improve the overall commuter experience, setting a new standard for transit facilities in the region.
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