In 2003, the PA anticipates investing about $1.84 billion in facilities in both states. Over the five-year period from 2003 to 2007, the agency expects to invest approximately $8.7 billion in transportation and security improvements for the region, including approximately $1 billion in direct assistance to the two states for transportation and economic development projects.

The 2003 budget also includes additional costs for the extension of the municipal lease with the city of Newark for the operation of Newark Liberty International Airport and Port Newark. And the PA is continuing to work toward an agreement with the City of New York for an extension of the lease for the New York City airports.

The PA's $5 billion budget for 2003 includes $1.99 billion in operating expenses, $1.84 billion in gross capital expenditures, $1.11 billion in debt service charged to operations and reserves and $66 million for other expenditures.

Major capital investments and customer service improvements in the agency's five-year capital plan, and funded in the 2003 budget, include:

• The reopening of the temporary PATH World Trade Center station, and the Exchange Place PATH station.
  
• Development of a grand, permanent intermodal transit terminal at the World Trade Center site, integrated with a downtown concourse connected to the World Financial Center to the west with a new subway Transit Center to the east.
  
• Security projects at multiple facilities, including greater use of closed-circuit TV; improvements to computerized access control systems; and additional fencing and barriers.
  
• The completion of AirTrain JFK, with service beginning by year-end 2003, and feasibility studies for a possible PATH connection to Newark Liberty International Airport.
  
• A new airline terminal at JFK, and a major expansion of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport.
  
• Completion or substantial pro-gress of major construction projects at Newark Liberty International Airport, including structural parking lots and new roadways, as well as runway and taxiway improvements at LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.
  
• $191 million in assistance to New York State and New Jersey transportation and economic projects in 2003 (with an additional $800 million in such assistance expected in 2004-2007). Projects slated to receive funding include the purchase of bi-level cars for New Jersey Transit, and the Farley-Penn Station Redevelopment Project.
  
• Design and implementation of a new PATH regional fare collection system, utilizing SmartCard technology, which will improve the quality of commuter transit for tens of thousands of riders.
  
• Design and implementation of high-speed "E-Z Flow" lane systems for the PA's Staten Island vehicular crossings.
  
• Advancement of environmental assessments for a Goethals Bridge replacement.
  
• Continued deepening of shipping channels to 45 ft. and 50 ft. to allow New York Harbor to accommodate the next generation of deep-draft container ships.
  
• Development of a new system of river barges and new inland distribution centers for containerized cargo, to help make cargo distribution more efficient.
  
  
  

The first contract is for widening the Driscoll Bridge along the Garden State Parkway. The 39-month contract calls for the construction of a new eight-lane bridge alongside the the southbound side of the existing Driscoll Bridge. The contract is worth $84.4 million and is expected to be completed in December 2005.

The second contract, which is values at $22.3 million, is for widening and realignment of the approach roadways and highway structures to the north and south of the bridge. Construction for this contract is expected to be completed in October 2006.

"The Driscoll Bridge is a critical part of the New Jersey transportation infrastructure," said Timothy C. McDonough, executive director, NJHA. "Today, 260,000 people travel over the Driscoll Bridge every day. This project will not only widen the roadway, improve the approaches and relieve congestion along the Garden State Parkway during peak travel times, it will save time for people throughout the State of New Jersey."

PA Chooses Kirby King As Deputy Director of PATH

The Port Authority of NY&NJ (PA) has chosen Kirby King, previously the assistant program director for the AirTrain JFK project since 1996, as the new deputy director of PATH.

In his new position, King will share with the director principal responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the rapid transit system, which carries 170,000 rider per day. He will also help manage the PATH's multibillion dollar capital program, which includes restoration of service to the Exchange Place and World Trade Center stations, rehabilitation or replacement of PATH's car fleet and installation of a regional fare collection system.