Democrats

Hochul Breaks Ground On New Bus Terminal

Nicholas Hutfilz
Nicholas Hutfilz
May 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM Β· 3 min read
Albany
Hochul Breaks Ground On New Bus Terminal
Office of Governor Kathy Hochul/Don Pollard

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York and Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey today marked the official start of the new Dyer Avenue deck-overs, a critical first step in the ambitious project to replace the aging Midtown Bus Terminal.

The newly initiated deck-overs will serve a dual purpose. Initially, they will provide a temporary staging area for buses, ensuring continued operations while the new terminal is under construction. Once the main terminal project is complete, this area will be converted into public green space.

The entire endeavor to rebuild the terminal is a significant undertaking, with an estimated cost of $10 billion and an expected timeline of nearly a decade.

The existing Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is almost 75 years old, has been described by officials as "functionally obsolete." The comprehensive renovation aims to significantly improve the daily commute for thousands, particularly those traveling from New Jersey, promising a smoother, faster, more reliable, and more pleasant experience.

The project is planned in three distinct phases:

  • Phase 1 (Estimated Completion: 2028): This phase focuses on rebuilding the bus ramps connecting the terminal to the Lincoln Tunnel. It also includes the construction of the deck-over staging area that buses will use during the next phase.
  • Phase 2 (Estimated Completion: 2032): Once Phase 1 is complete, work will begin on demolishing the current terminal and constructing its replacement. Bus services will continue to operate from the temporary staging areas built in Phase 1.
  • Phase 3 (Post-2032): Following the completion of the new terminal, two high-rise towers are planned for construction above its eastern portion. This final phase will also see the conversion of the temporary bus staging area into permanent public green space.

While these timelines provide a current framework, it's worth noting that complex infrastructure projects of this scale can often encounter delays as work progresses.

Hochul celebrated the groundbreaking as a collaboration between state and local government, saying "here in New York, we are showing the world what is possible when government and the local community commit to making the vision of modern infrastructure a reality."