The long-awaited transformation of New York City’s most infamous transit hub is finally underway. Construction has officially begun on the $10 billion redevelopment of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan—an ambitious project aimed at turning the once-derided commuter hub into a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly transportation center.

Once dismissed as the “Midtown Dungeon,” the 75-year-old terminal—located just west of Times Square—has for decades symbolized New York’s infrastructure woes. Aging concrete, overcrowding, pollution, and outdated facilities have made it a running joke among commuters. Now, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is flipping the script with a massive overhaul designed to serve 21st-century transit needs and reinvigorate the surrounding neighborhood.

The ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of the Dyer Avenue deck-over project—the first phase of the multi-year redevelopment. This stage includes building a deck above the Lincoln Tunnel approaches to create a staging area for buses during construction. Once the terminal is complete, that area will be converted into 3.5 acres of public green space—bringing much-needed trees, walking paths, and gathering areas to one of the most asphalt-heavy stretches of Midtown.

“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 vision for the new terminal is bold: a net-zero emissions facility with modern infrastructure, sleek design, and ample passenger amenities. The new facility will include a dedicated bus storage and staging area, expanded retail offerings, indoor atriums, and new ramps between 10th and 11th Avenues—all while maintaining service at the existing terminal during phased construction.

Renderings show a sleek, light-filled building integrated with public open space, aiming to reverse the terminal’s longstanding reputation for grime and gloom. Environmental sustainability is a core goal: the design includes capacity to support an all-electric bus fleet and reduces street-level congestion in the surrounding Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.

Importantly, the entire project will be built on Port Authority-owned land, avoiding the need for eminent domain or private property seizures—often a source of conflict in large-scale urban infrastructure projects.

More than 200,000 riders pass through the current terminal daily, making it the busiest bus terminal in the world. The new version is being built to accommodate future growth, with projections extending through 2050.

Beyond commuter benefits, the redevelopment is also an economic driver: the project is expected to create over 6,000 union construction jobs.

When finished, what was once derided as “Midtown’s blemish” may emerge as a shining symbol of sustainable urban design and government investment. For now, the hard hats are on and the transformation has begun—one deck, one beam, and one bus at a time.

Originally reported by Laura Ratliff in Time Out.