On December 4th, 2024, the Port Authority Bus Terminal received the green light from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the city of New York for a $10 billion upgrade. Now that the final stages of approval are set, it’s all systems go.
Construction is set to begin in Midtown in 2025, the first repairs on the station in 75 years. Once the project is complete, the new 2.1 million square-foot main terminal will feature a separate storage and staging building and new ramps leading directly into and out of the Lincoln Tunnel, ultimately eliminating congestion.
On Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Loan Program revealed a $1.9 billion loan approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“This federal loan for this vital, interstate transportation facility will enable the Port Authority to build a 21st century bus terminal that commuters from New Jersey and communities in New York City deserve and will rely on for decades to come,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement. “I thank our federal partners for their support for a project that will generate economic benefits for our entire region while improving the quality of life for commuters and the community where the terminal is located.”
In the process of the reconstruction, the project will create roughly 6,000 union jobs. When all is said and done, commuters can also expect part of the 41st Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues exit closure, a central main entrance, more street-facing retail, a multi-story indoor atrium, and new public open space, per a statement.
Though this undertaking will begin in 2025, don’t expect the final results just yet. Everything will be tackled in phases with a temporary terminal and new ramps completed by 2028 and the new main terminal by 2032.
Could these changes — and the highly controversial congestion planning plan — change traffic in NYC? Looks like time will tell. We’ll be sure to keep you posted about this undertaking as more information becomes available.