PA Approves $4.5B Budget

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey approved a $4.5 billion budget aimed at improving efficiency, reliability and security at its transportation facilities.

The budget includes $2.1 billion for operating expenses, $1.8 billion in gross capital expenditures and $568 million for debt service. Major investments in the 2004-2008 capital plan include:

• Site preparation in anticipation of the start of construction of the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower and the design of the permanent World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
  
• Maintaining and enhancing security of Port Authority facilities across the region, such as enhanced surveillance systems, detection sensors, and closed-circuit television monitoring systems.
  
• Progressing with a new domestic passenger terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport
  
• Making roadway, parking and airside improvements at Newark Liberty International Airport.
  
• Funding new passenger rail service to New Jersey Meadowlands
  
• Advancing environmental reviews to consider alternatives to replace the Goethals Bridge
  
• Expanding high-speed "EZ-Flow" toll collection systems at additional Hudson River Crossings.
  " Funding and transfer of property to create Brooklyn Bridge Park.
  
• Continuing deepening of shipping channels in New York harbor to accommodate larger, deep-draft container ships.
  
• Constructing of new rail facilities at marine terminals in New York and New Jersey, including the start of construction of a new rail connection between the Staten Island Railroad and the CSX/Norfolk Southern Chemical Coast Line.
  
• Purchasing additional new PATH cars
  
• Funding for transportation and economic development projects, including the purchase of bi-level rail passenger cars for New Jersey transit and construction of the Farley Building-Pennsylvania Station redevelopment project.

Transportation Hub Designs Revealed

Santiago Calatrava presented designs Jan. 22 of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey's World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

The Downtown Design Partnership, in association with Calatrava, is designing the hub. The partnership is lead by the joint venture of DMJM + Harris and STV Group, Inc. The hub will feature a spectacular glass and steel grand point of arrival that will become a major architectural landmark.

It will also have a permanent PATH terminal, pedestrian connections that will improve access to PATH and natural lighting on PATH platforms.

A temporary PATH station opened at the World Trade Center site on Nov. 23. The new hub is scheduled to begin serving passengers in 2006. The Port Authority is in the middle of an environmental review process for the hub, which is being developed in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration.