NY/NJ: Port Authority Adopts 2017 Budget

Following a month-long public comment period, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8, approved the agency’s 2017 Budget consisting of $3.1 billion for operating expenses and $2.9 billion for capital projects including state-of-good repair work and new construction at its bridges, tunnels, terminals, airports, seaport and PATH system.

The $3.1 billion Operating Budget approved by the Board represents an increase of 1.3 percent in expenses over the prior year budget before consideration of the costs of operating and maintaining new facilities at the World Trade Center and the contractual five-year step increases in rents for certain Port Authority facilities.  After consideration of these costs, the budget represents an increase of 3.1 percent. 

The Capital Budget funds major ongoing investments in key transportation facilities, including the Bayonne Bridge project, the replacement of the Goethals Bridge, redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, continued installation of Positive Train Control on the PATH system and the redevelopment of Greenville Yard to support a new ship-to-rail facility.  Funds also are included to begin formal planning work for a new Port Authority Bus Terminal, the ongoing planning for a new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, and to continue planning projects designed to upgrade the George Washington Bridge.

“This fiscally responsible budget followed a painstaking review of the agency’s resources to make sure every dollar was wisely invested in projects that will benefit the traveling public,” said Port Authority Chairman John Degnan.  “The budget continues our trend to return to the Port Authorities core mission of rebuilding critical aging infrastructure while keeping all of our transportation facilities in a state of good repair.”

“As stewards of the region’s major transportation facilities, this budget strikes the appropriate balance between being fiscally responsible while continuing our ongoing investment of billions of dollars in the region’s bridges, tunnels, airports, seaport and PATH,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.

Highlights of the 2017 Operating Budget:

• $1.549 billion to operate and maintain our facilities in an efficient and effective manner, facilitating the movement of people and goods in the region.
• $706 million to ensure safe and secure facilities for our customers through police and security resources , investing in new technology and infrastructure and employing best practices for security.
• $385 million in rents and payments in lieu of taxes for Port Authority facilities.

Highlights of the 2017 Capital Budget:

• $887 million for investment in tunnel, bridge and terminal facilities, including the ongoing Bayonne Bridge project, the new Goethals Bridge, planning funds to begin the process of building a new Port Authority Bus Terminal, and major state-of-good repair projects at the George Washington Bridge.
• $989 million for Aviation projects, including the ongoing redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and ongoing planning for a new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport.
• $532 million to continue the WTC rebuilding effort with the completion of the Vehicular Safety Center and Bus Parking Facility.
• $217 million for PATH projects, including the continued installation of a new signal system including Positive Train Control on the rail system.
• $153 million for Port Department projects, including the construction of a new ship-to-rail facility at Greenville Yard to enhance the movement of cargo on and off the port.