NEW YORK, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have officially launched the long-awaited redevelopment of the Midtown Bus Terminal, one of the most critical and congested transit hubs in the nation. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of the Dyer Avenue deck-overs, which mark the first major step in building a completely new, state-of-the-art terminal.

The project is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation investment in regional infrastructure that will transform the experience of hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and dramatically improve the surrounding urban landscape.

The newly initiated deck-overs will be constructed over below-grade portions of Dyer Avenue and the Lincoln Tunnel Expressway, specifically between West 37th and West 39th streets. These structures will initially serve as staging areas for buses during construction and, once the terminal is complete, will be converted into 3.5 acres of public green space — a rare addition of open land in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Governor Hochul emphasized the transformative nature of the project:
“Today’s groundbreaking reflects our shared commitment to improving the transit experience throughout the tri-state area.”

Governor Murphy echoed her sentiments and pointed to the regional benefits of the terminal’s reconstruction:
“Upon completion, the new state-of-the-art Midtown Bus Terminal will serve hundreds of thousands of commuters each day as they head to work, school, medical appointments, or return home,” Murphy said. “This project is another major step toward modernizing our transportation infrastructure, improving the commuter experience, and reducing bus congestion. Just as importantly, it will create thousands of good-paying union jobs, bolstering our workforce and economy.”

The current terminal, which opened in 1950, is now considered functionally obsolete. The new project will include a central terminal building, a dedicated storage and staging facility, and newly constructed ramps providing direct access to the Lincoln Tunnel. A key part of the plan includes a permanent closure of part of 41st Street to create a multi-story public atrium, more street-facing retail, and improved pedestrian connections, transforming the block-long area into a civic space rather than a traffic choke point.

“Today’s groundbreaking for the first stage of a new Midtown Bus Terminal is a momentous accomplishment that moved forward after years of delay by focusing on two key propositions — improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and providing real benefits to a community burdened by an architectural eyesore and a deluge of bus traffic,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “By focusing on benefits both to commuters and the surrounding community, we are now moving forward with a project that enjoys unprecedented support at every level of government on both sides of the river. And at last, we are on our way to creating a gateway that our region deserves.”

Designed to be net-zero emissions, the terminal will accommodate all-electric bus fleets and include smart infrastructure features to reduce carbon impact, minimize idling, and cut down on traffic congestion on nearby streets. The plan does not require the taking of any private property, as all construction will occur on Port Authority-owned land extending west to 11th Avenue.

Incorporating feedback from commuters, elected officials, community boards, and transportation experts, the project aims to meet rising ridership projections through 2040 and beyond, while also acting as a catalyst for neighborhood improvement and commercial revitalization.

The $10 billion plan will be executed in phases. Construction of the Dyer Avenue deck-overs is currently underway, while procurement for additional components of the first phase is in progress. Once the new storage and staging facility is built, it will temporarily function as a terminal during demolition of the existing structure.

When completed, the new Midtown Bus Terminal is expected to significantly enhance travel efficiency, restore commuter dignity, and create a welcoming gateway for one of the busiest transit corridors in the world.

Originally reported by New Jersey Business Magazine