The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
Once-in-a-generation overhaul of the region’s infrastructure
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, following a month-long public comment period, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners today approved the agency’s $9.4 billion 2025 budget, which includes $4.1 billion in operating expenses, $3.6 billion in capital expenses, and $1.7 billion for debt service and deferred expenses.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, President-elect Donald Trump has selected Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner, as the next U.S. ambassador to France. The decision, announced Saturday, comes just four years after Trump granted Kushner a full pardon for criminal convictions stemming from a high-profile case that shook his career two decades ago.
By Kevin OToole
Kevin J. O’Toole is the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This was first printed in the Bergen Record on 9/9/19.
The most humbling duty that falls on the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is speaking on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. It was the second attack on the Trade Center, which was bombed on Feb. 26, 1993, resulting in the deaths of six adults and an unborn child. Nearly 3,000 souls were lost on 9/11.
The loss of life – whether in numbers small or large – is always personal to the family and friends of the victims. Many of us in New Jersey and New York, lost family, friends and colleagues. The sum total of this loss is incalculable.
Continue reading September 11th – Images of Hope, Courage and Sacrifice Remain
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teterboro NJ, Teterboro Airport, owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has solidified its reputation as the busiest private airport in the United States. In the past year alone, nearly 182,000 private aircraft have taken off and landed at this small but vital airport, according to the latest data from the Port Authority. Designed originally to divert air traffic from major commercial airports, Teterboro has become a hub for private jets, frequently used by celebrities and business elites.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced a new agreement to support the $10 billion replacement and expansion of the 73-year-old Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Recognizing the importance and catalytic potential of the project, the city has committed 40 years of tax revenue — expected to help the Port Authority raise an estimated total of up to $2 billion, 20 percent of the project cost — from three potential new commercial developments on three sites, two of which will be positioned atop the new bus terminal and the third to be built at a nearby site owned by the Port Authority and private owners, subject to market demand. This deal brings the vision of a reimagined bus terminal one step closer to reality.
Continue reading New York Ponies Up For New Port Authority Midtown Bus Terminal
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport is now fully operational with the opening of the final five gates of the terminal alongside additional retail and dining outlets and the transfer of Delta Air Lines operations and Sky Club lounge from Terminal B.
Continue reading Newark Liberty International Airport’s New Terminal A Now fully Operational
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey strongly encourages travelers by air, rail and road to allot additional travel time during the five-day July Fourth holiday travel period, when more than 5.3 million passengers are expected to use its facilities.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, as part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the traveling public, the Port Authority Police Department will conduct Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints at the George Washington Bridge from approximately 10 p.m. Friday, June 16, to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 17.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, as part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Newark Liberty International Airport, the agency issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) today for the replacement of the AirTrain Newark system with a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that nearly 5 million air passengers and vehicles are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings from Wednesday, November 24, through Sunday, November 28.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today unveiled a new plan for the proposed Midtown Bus Terminal project which will completely reimagine the world’s busiest bus terminal and its connection to the Lincoln Tunnel. The new plan laid out in the Port Authority’s final scoping document released today provides for a nearly 40 percent increase in transit rider capacity while responding to the needs of the local community. The new terminal will be designed to serve 100 percent electric bus fleets and will feature cutting-edge technology to manage and speed bus movements in the terminal – using both autonomous vehicle technology and AI-aided traffic management. The release of the Port Authority’s final scoping document describing the new plan based on an extensive public consultation sets the stage for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to begin the federal environmental review process consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and FTA regulations.
Continue reading PORT AUTHORITY UNVEILS PLAN FOR 42nd STREET BUS TERMINAL REPLACEMENT
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled new features of the flagship new terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport which incorporate best-in-class arrivals frontage design. This new design creates four distinct areas for taxis, app-based ride-share vehicles, buses, and private passenger vehicles to reduce traffic congestion, ease passenger loading, and dramatically enhance the customer experience. In addition, the new terminal design incorporates state-of-the-art technology and safety features in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The one million square foot new terminal will open, as planned, in late 2022 with cutting edge design changes built into the structure.
In Third Quarter, Passenger Volumes Down 84 Percent at JFK, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia Airports from 2019
Third Quarter PATH Ridership Down 81 Percent from 2019; in Third Quarter, Bridges and Tunnels Traffic Decreased 14 Percent from Third Quarter 2019
Weekly Volumes for October 2020 Show Declines Continue into Fourth Quarter
Continue reading PORT AUTHORITY REPORTS DRAMATIC DECLINE IN VOLUMES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, travelers Who Fail to Wear a Mask or Face Covering Subject to Recommended $50 Fine Starting Monday, November 2
Face Coverings Are Required at Port Authority Facilities – Including Airport Terminals, PATH Stations and Trains, AirTrain Stations and Trains, Midtown Bus Terminal, GWB Bus Station and Oculus – to Help Protect Fellow Passengers and Employees from the Spread of COVID-19
photo Chairman Kevin O’Toole
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, Today the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released its six-month financial results which revealed an approximately $777 million decline in revenues through June 30, 2020 as compared to the agency’s budget, with additional losses against 2020 Budget expected through the balance of the year. Since the full force of the Covid-19 crisis started in March, the agency’s revenue loss has averaged $240 million per month as compared to budget. Based on these results, together with the forward-looking forecasts, the Port Authority continues to project a $3 billion loss in revenues for the 24-month period ending March 2022.
Continue reading Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Posts Single Worst Quarter on Record
