7 days ago
Construction on the new $10 billion Port Authority bus terminal has begun, and things are already looking snazzier
New Yorkers, rejoice: the 'Midtown Dungeon' is finally getting a glow-up. Construction has officially begun on the new Port Authority Bus Terminal, the world's busiest and arguably most maligned commuter hub, with a groundbreaking ceremony that marked the start of the Dyer Avenue deck-over project. This initial phase will lay the literal groundwork for what promises to be a 21st-century transit palace… and eventually, a leafy green oasis.
The current terminal, a 75-year-old concrete behemoth just west of Times Square, has long been the butt of jokes and the bane of commuters. But the $10 billion replacement project aims to flip the narrative. The plan is a new net-zero emissions terminal with a dedicated bus storage and staging facility, a direct connection to the Lincoln Tunnel and 3.5 acres of public green space to replace a chunk of Midtown asphalt.
'We are showing the world what is possible when government and the local community commit to making the vision of modern infrastructure a reality,' said Governor Kathy Hochul. 'A new Midtown Bus Terminal will deliver an enhanced experience for millions of riders, breathe new life into the surrounding neighborhood and ensure that this gateway to the city is one New Yorkers can be proud of for generations to come.'
The deck-overs—now under construction above the Lincoln Tunnel approach on Dyer Avenue—will act as a staging area for buses during the terminal build and later transform into open green space for public use. Think less fumes and foot traffic, more trees and tranquility. The full project also includes new ramps between 10th and 11th Avenues, expanded retail space and an indoor atrium to let the sunshine in.
The overhaul is designed to handle projected commuter demand through 2050, with enough charging capacity to accommodate a fully electric bus fleet. Just as crucial: it won't require any private property seizure. Everything is happening on Port Authority-owned land.
The current terminal will stay open while the new one is constructed in phases, a major win for the 200,000-plus daily riders who rely on it. The project is expected to create 6,000 union construction jobs, all while dramatically reducing street-level congestion in Hell's Kitchen.
When it's all said and done, the terminal once dubbed 'Midtown's blemish' might just become the neighborhood's crown jewel. Until then, construction hats on.
