When I was confirmed as a Commissioner of the Port Authority in 2017, I pledged to keep New Jersey’s legislators informed about the work of the Port Authority and I honor that commitment by sending them a letter each December outlining what the agency has done. Keeping our elected leaders informed is important, but keeping you, the public, aware of what is being done on your behalf is no less vital.
I couldn’t have foreseen the scale of transformation this agency would undertake. What I knew in 2017 was that transparency and integrity were critical to the Port Authority’s success. What I know now, nearly 8 years later, is that the extraordinary 8,000-person workforce of this agency can achieve the seemingly impossible.
The year 2024 was exceptional—even by Port Authority standards. Not since its first decade, from 1921 to 1931, has the Port Authority delivered so much in such a short time. Four monumental projects that would each be considered a once-in-a-decade achievement are being delivered simultaneously:
- A Whole New Midtown Bus Terminal: The Port Authority has advanced the planning for a new Midtown Bus Terminal to replace the outdated 74-year-old facility, culminating with the Federal Transit Administration’s Record of Decision and full approval by the City of New York, paving the way for early works construction to begin at the start of 2025.
- A Whole New EWR: The Port Authority launched the Newark Vision Plan that will result in an international aviation gateway as stunning as JFK and took substantive steps forward in delivering on a best-in-class new EWR AirTrain.
- A Whole New JFK: The Port Authority is building a $19 billion new John F. Kennedy Airport.
- A Whole New LGA: The Port Authority has built a new, world-class LaGuardia Airport during a global pandemic.
These projects are not just investments in transit; they are investments in the region’s economic vitality. They create jobs, expand opportunities, and make our region more competitive.
These projects represent just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the Port Authority was able to achieve across all of its line departments in 2024:
Air
In 2024, Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia served over 144 million passengers. Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A earned global acclaim as the Best New Airport Terminal in the World from international rating firm SkyTrax, which also awarded it a prestigious 5-star rating. Alongside this achievement, the Port Authority advanced its transformative plans for the airport by awarding a $1.1 billion contract for the design and construction of the stations and guideways for the new Newark AirTrain, a critical component of the Newark Vision Plan. This ambitious master plan outlines the creation of a world-class aviation gateway, ensuring Newark Liberty’s position as a leader in global air travel.
Progress at JFK International Airport was equally impressive, with significant milestones reached in the $19 billion redevelopment project, including structural steel completion for both New Terminal One and Terminal Six and major roadway upgrades. Meanwhile, LaGuardia Airport continued to receive accolades, with Airport Council International naming it the Best Airport in the United States for its size class early in the year. By October, Forbes Travel Guide had echoed that recognition, ranking LaGuardia as the Best Airport in the United States based on the feedback of frequent travelers and industry experts.
Land
The Midtown Bus Terminal replacement project made significant strides in 2024, overcoming critical federal and local regulatory hurdles. With approvals secured from both the NEPA environmental review process and New York City’s ULURP permitting system, the project is now set to move forward, with early works construction contracts already awarded. This transformative project will modernize a vital transit hub, improving the commuting experience for millions of passengers and enhancing the surrounding community.
Meanwhile, the $2 billion Restore the George project reached a major milestone, replacing 95 percent of the George Washington Bridge’s 592 steel suspender cables. Additionally, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved $160 million for the design and construction of the EWR Station Access project, which will create a new public entry point at Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. This initiative will significantly enhance transit accessibility for underserved neighborhoods in Newark and Elizabeth, connecting residents to NJ Transit, Amtrak, and the Newark AirTrain.
Rail
As post-pandemic ridership on PATH hit new highs, the Port Authority announced the $430 million PATH Forward program in 2024, aimed at upgrading PATH stations, tracks, and critical infrastructure to reduce delays on the 116-year-old transit system. Enhancing convenience for riders, the TAPP contactless payment system was expanded to all PATH stations, with over 60 percent of transactions now processed through this modernized system, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to improving efficiency and passenger experience.
Sea
The Port of New York and New Jersey solidified its status as the second-busiest port in the nation and the busiest on the East Coast, reflecting its vital role in global trade and regional economic strength surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 17%. In a major step toward enhancing its operations, the Port Authority acquired full ownership of the Howland Hook facility in Staten Island through an agreement with the New York Economic Development Commission. This acquisition paves the way for significant expansion, boosting capacity, resiliency, and efficiency to ensure the port remains a hub for long-term cargo growth.
Amid these advancements, the Seaport and the Port Authority Police Department demonstrated a commitment to safety and workers’ rights by supporting the peaceful demonstration of striking ILA members. When a tentative labor agreement was reached, the Seaport quickly restored operations without disruption, maintaining the seamless flow of goods that underscores its position as a critical economic engine for the region.
Agency-Wide
The Port Authority has developed a forward-thinking $9.4 billion budget for 2025, prioritizing safety, a seamless customer experience, and fostering economic growth throughout the region. Demonstrating its commitment to inclusion and opportunity, the agency set records for minority contracting, surpassing $5 billion in awards to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) across its major airport redevelopment projects. Notably, JFK achieved a state record in New York with $2.7 billion in M/WBE contracts awarded. The agency also emphasized social responsibility, hiring 60 formerly incarcerated individuals through the Office of Second Chance Employment and partnering with Brooklyn Woods to install pedestrian benches at the World Trade Center campus.
Sustainability remains a central pillar of the Port Authority’s work. The agency is on track to meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, including a 35 percent reduction by 2025 and achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050. Progress included launching a 12 MW solar array at JFK’s New Terminal One, which will be the largest solar installation in New York City, and breaking ground on a solar canopy for the airport’s long-term parking lot. Combined, these projects will add approximately 24 MW of solar capacity to the agency’s portfolio. The EWR Building One Decarbonization project, a prototype for reducing emissions across all agency buildings by transforming the historic first commercial air terminal in the nation into a model for the future, is also nearing completion, with operations set to begin in early 2025.
Innovation continues to drive the agency’s agenda. Through its Innovation Hub, the Port Authority piloted 20 projects in 2024, including the demonstration of electric airplane tugs at JFK, fare evasion detection technology for PATH, and autonomous shuttles at JFK. The agency also announced a $10 million program to install enhanced license plate readers at the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing, a key initiative to bolster toll evasion enforcement. These advancements highlight the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology and sustainability to enhance infrastructure and improve services for the region.
Looking Ahead
None of this would be possible without collaboration. Executive Director Rick Cotton’s unwavering dedication inspires our workforce to achieve the extraordinary. Similarly, the 12 Commissioners of the Port Authority work as a united team, bridging state lines to serve the region.
As Chairman, I am humbled by the trust placed in me to lead this great agency. I am equally grateful for the leadership of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose support ensures we can deliver for the region.
The Port Authority’s work is far from done. With the continued partnership of our two states, we will keep building smarter, better, and more sustainably for the 21st century.
The best is yet to come.
Kevin O’Toole is the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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