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Cuomo Celebrates Approval Of Port Authority Plan That Funds His Infrastructure Projects
By
Emma Whitford
Published Feb 17, 2017
Modified Feb 17, 2017
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By
Emma Whitford
Published Feb 17, 2017
Modified Feb 17, 2017
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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday approved its largest capital plan to date. Clocking in at $32.2 billion for the years 2017 through 2026, the plan was approved unanimously despite criticism from New Jersey politicians that it shortchanged critical bus terminal renovations in favor of governors' pet infrastructure projects, including Governor Andrew Cuomo's New York-centric LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airport renovations.
The plan includes $3.5 billion for the aging bus terminal—a project that's been estimated to cost about $10 billion, with some funding expected from local air rights, and the federal government. The investment is expected to help "begin planning and construction," according to a release from the Authority.
The Port Authority has also allotted about $1.5 billion for Governor Cuomo's circuitous LaGuardia-Willets Point AirTrain proposal; an already-promised $600 million toward $4.2 billion renovations at LaGuardia Terminals C and D (the rest of the money is expected to come from Delta and other private partners); and $1.7 billion for a Governor Chris Christie-endorsed PATH train extension from Downtown Manhattan to Newark Airport. The draft plan also includes about $1 billion to renovate JFK airport—a recent proposal heavy on aesthetics and amenities.
"At long last, New York is on its way to having airports worthy of this great state," Governor Cuomo stated following the vote, calling the plan a "huge step forward for New York and the region."
An additional $2.7 billion will go towards debt service on the construction of a new Gateway rail tunnel under the Hudson River, as the existing tunnel was severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy and has subjected hundreds of thousands of daily commuters to frequent delays.
At a board meeting last month, Port Authority board member Ken Lipper, a Cuomo appointee, described the PATH extension and LaGuardia AirTrain in particular as "amongst the most ill-conceived projects that I've experienced in government."
Port Authority Chairman John Degnan, a Christie appointee and vocal proponent of bus terminal funding, recently called the plan a "compromise," but admitted that the bus terminal funding would not cover a timely bus terminal renovation. "Do I think it has enough money to erect a new bus terminal in a ten year period?" he said. "No."
We'll see where we're at in 2027.
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governor cuomo
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Emma Whitford
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