The busiest (and probably most hated) bus terminal in the country is getting a makeover. But first, you’ll have a chance to weigh in on the redevelopment plans. The Port Authority Bus Terminal Replacement Project is holding four virtual public meetings on June 23 and 24, while continuing to collect comments online.
Plans for a $10 billion revamp of the 70-year-old station were first announced in January. The proposal envisions a five-story replacement facility, a one million square foot bus storage and staging building between 9th and 10th Avenues, and a bigger set of connections to the Lincoln Tunnel with green spaces on top. It would be designed to handle 1,000 buses a day versus the roughly 850 it struggles with now.
“The initial phases addressing the staging and storage facilities, the main terminal, and associated facilities are expected to be completed by 2032,” the project website explains. In addition, by 2040 a series of private, high-rise buildings could be built over the terminal, using air rights.
$3 billion in funding for the project was included in the 2017-2026 Port Authority Capital Plan but additional sources will be required to meet the $10 billion price tag. The sale of development rights will contribute to that goal. The authority is also pursuing federal funding for the project and recently announced the beginning of an environmental review process too.
While this overhaul is still more than a decade away, in the meantime the authority has plans in place to begin a $21.9 million rehabilitation project, NJ.com reported. Phased work to replace or restore some of the concrete slabs that were first installed when the building opened in 1950 will begin this summer. Buses will continue to operate on schedule and work will only be conducted in the off-hours to minimize the toll on commuters, many of whom are just starting to return to their physical offices in the city.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the overall redevelopment plans and voicing your opinion, there are four live-streamed meetings scheduled to take place this Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30pm and 6:30pm on each day. You can register here. If you can’t attend any of the meetings, you can send in your comments online via this form until July 19.