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Your bus commute is getting a new route. Construction on the Port Authority Bus Terminal’s $11 billion replacement has changed traffic patterns in Midtown and officials warn of delays—especially during weekday evening rush hours.
Reroutes began Thursday, October 15, as crews make room to replace the ramps connecting the Lincoln Tunnel to the terminal. The first phase of construction is expected to continue through the end of 2030.
How will Port Authority construction affect bus riders?
Buses arriving from the Lincoln Tunnel and Dyer Avenue will be diverted to West 39th Street before rejoining the terminal’s ramp system near Tenth Avenue. That means buses will navigate local streets while crews dismantle existing ramps and build their replacements. The Port Authority warns that passengers could face longer commutes, particularly during the evening rush.
The exclusive bus lane serving the Lincoln Tunnel isn’t affected, but getting through the tunnel doesn’t guarantee a speedy arrival at your gate. Traffic agents will be stationed at intersections to help manage the new setup, CBS New York reports.
Is the Port Authority Bus Terminal closing?
No. Bus service will continue throughout construction, according to the Port Authority.
The project uses a phased approach: a new bus storage and staging facility will initially serve as a temporary terminal while the agency demolishes and rebuilds the existing main terminal. The agency plans to carry out the redevelopment on its own property.
For now, riders should allow extra travel time and check their carrier’s service advisories before heading out.
When will Port Authority construction be finished?
The first phase is expected to wrap up by the end of 2030, with the entire replacement project targeted for completion in 2035, according to CBS New York.
That makes 2030 a construction milestone, not the date when every commuting headache magically disappears. The schedule has slipped since December 2024, when the Port Authority projected completion of the temporary terminal and ramps in 2028 and the main terminal in 2032.
What will the new bus terminal include?
The eventual payoff includes a five-floor main terminal with more than 180 bus gates, better subway connections, clearer wayfinding and a central skylight.
New ramps will connect directly to the Lincoln Tunnel and dedicated storage space will keep buses waiting off neighborhood streets. Plans also include accessible facilities, street-facing shops and more than three acres of public open space.
A brighter terminal and fewer idling buses sound lovely, but getting there will definitely require a very robust podcast playlist for a few years.