Tolls collected at the Holland Tunnel and other crossings help fund the Port Authority.
The 'Port Authority of New York and New Jersey' ('PANYNJ') is a bi-state
port district, established in 1921 through an
interstate compact, that runs most of the regional
transportation infrastructure, including the
bridges,
tunnels,
airports, and
seaports, within the New York–New Jersey Port District. This 1,500 square mile (3,900 km²) District is defined as a circle with a 25-mile (40 km) radius centered on the
Statue of Liberty in
New York Harbor.
[1]
The Port Authority operates the
Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, which handled the third largest amount of shipping of all ports in the United States, in 2004.
[2] The Port Authority also operates
Hudson River crossings, including the
Holland Tunnel,
Lincoln Tunnel, and
George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey with
Manhattan, and three crossings that connect New Jersey with
Staten Island. The
Port Authority Bus Terminal and the
PATH rail system are also run by the Port Authority, as are
LaGuardia,
JFK, and
Newark Liberty International Airport. The agency has its own 1,600-member
Port Authority Police Department, which is responsible for providing safety and deterring criminal activity at Port Authority–owned-and-operated facilities.
[3]
Although the Port Authority does run a good portion of the transportation structures, some bridges, tunnels, and other transportation facilities are operated independently of the Port Authority, including the
Staten Island Ferry, which is operated by the
New York City Department of Transportation; bridges between Manhattan and the Bronx operated by the NYCDOT; and other bridges, tunnels, operated by the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority which is controlled by the New York
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA);
buses, subways, and
commuter rail operated by the
New York City Transit Authority which is controlled by the MTA; and buses, commuter rail, and
light rail operated by
New Jersey Transit.
History
In the early years of the 20th century, there were disputes between the states of New Jersey and New York, over rail freights and boundaries. At the time, rail lines terminated on the New Jersey side of the harbor, while ocean shipping was centered on Manhattan and Brooklyn. Freight had to be shipped across the Hudson River in
barges.
[4] In 1916, New Jersey launched a lawsuit against New York over issues of rail freight, with the
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) issuing an order that the two states work together, subordinating their own interests to the public interest.
[5] The Harbor Development Commission, a joint advisory board set-up in 1917, recommended that a bi-state authority be established to oversee efficient economic development of the port district.
[6] The Port Authority of New York was established on
April 30,
1921,
[7] through an interstate compact between the states of
New Jersey and
New York. This was the first such agency in the
United States, created under a provision in the
Constitution of the United States permitting interstate compacts.
The idea for the Port Authority was conceived during the
Progressive Era, which aimed to reduce
political corruption and aimed for efficiency in government. With the Port Authority at a distance from
political pressures, it was able to carry longer-term infrastructure projects irrespective of the
election cycles and in a more efficient manner.
[8] Throughout its history, there have also been concerns about democratic
accountability, or lack thereof at the Port Authority.
Hudson River crossings
George Washington Bridge
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were no
bridge or
tunnel crossings between the two states. Under an independent agency, the
Holland Tunnel was constructed and opened in 1924, with the planning and construction pre-dating the Port Authority. With the rise in
automobile traffic, there was demand for more
Hudson River crossings. Using its ability to issue
bonds and collect revenue, the Port Authority has built and managed major infrastructure projects. Early projects included bridges across the
Arthur Kill, which separates
Staten Island from New Jersey. The
Goethals Bridge, named after chief engineer of the
Panama Canal Commission General
George Washington Goethals, connected
Elizabeth, New Jersey and
Howland Hook, Staten Island. At the south end of Arthur Kill, the
Outerbridge Crossing was built and named after the Port Authority's first chairman,
Eugenius H. Outerbridge. Construction of both bridges was completed in 1928. The
Bayonne Bridge, opened in 1931, was built across the
Kill van Kull, connecting
Staten Island with
Bayonne, New Jersey.
[9]
Construction began in 1927 on the
George Washington Bridge, linking the northern part of
Manhattan with
Fort Lee, New Jersey, with Port Authority chief engineer,
Othmar H. Ammann, overseeing the project. The bridge was completed in October 1931, ahead of schedule and well under the estimated costs. This efficiency exhibited by the Port Authority impressed President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used this as a model in creating the
Tennessee Valley Authority and other such entities.
In 1930, the Holland Tunnel was placed under control of the Port Authority, providing significant
toll revenues to the Port Authority.
During the late 1930s and early 1940s, the
Lincoln Tunnel was built, connecting New Jersey and
Midtown Manhattan.
Austin J. Tobin era
Airports
In 1942,
Austin J. Tobin became the Executive Director of the Port Authority. In the post-
World War II period, the Port Authority expanded its operations to include
airports, and marine terminals, with projects including
Newark Liberty International Airport and
Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal. Meanwhile, the city-owned La Guardia Field, was nearing capacity in 1939, and needed expensive upgrades and expansion. At the time, airports were operated as
loss leaders, and the city was having difficulties maintaining the status quo, losing money and not able to undertake needed expansions.
[10] The city was looking to hand the airports over to a
public authority, possibly to
Robert Moses'
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. After long negotiations with the City of New York, a 50-year lease, commencing on
May 31,
1947, went to the Port Authority of New York to rehabilitate, develop, and operate
La Guardia International Airport (La Guardia Field),
John F. Kennedy International Airport (Idlewild Airport), and
Floyd Bennett Field.
[11] The Port Authority transformed the airports into fee-generating facilities, adding stores and restaurants.
World Trade Center
World Trade Center (1973)
During the post World War II period, the
United States thrived economically, with increasing
international trade. It was in this economic environment, that the concept of establishing a
World trade center was conceived. At the time, economic growth was concentrated in
Midtown Manhattan, with
Lower Manhattan left out. One notable exception was the construction of
One Chase Manhattan Plaza in the
Financial District, by
David Rockefeller who led
urban renewal efforts in Lower Manhattan.
In initial plans made public in 1961, the
World Trade Center was slated to be built on a site along the
East River. Objections to the plan came from New Jersey Governor
Robert B. Meyner, who resented that New York would be getting this $335 million project.
Meanwhile, New Jersey's
Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (H&M) was facing
bankruptcy. Port Authority executive director,
Austin J. Tobin agreed to take over control of the H&M Railroad, in exchange for support from New Jersey for the World Trade Center project. As part of this acquisition, the Port Authority would rehabilitate the
Downtown and
Uptown Hudson Tubes. The Port Authority would also obtain the
Hudson Terminal, and decrepit buildings located above the terminal in Lower Manhattan. The Port Authority decided to demolish these buildings, and use this site along the
Hudson River for the World Trade Center.
Even once the agreement between the states of New Jersey, New York, and the Port Authority was finalized, the World Trade Center plan faced continued controversy.
New York City mayor
Robert Wagner raised concerns about the limited extent to which the Port Authority involved the city in the negotiations and deliberations. The site was the location of
Radio Row electronics businesses, and the World Trade Center plans involved evicting hundreds of commercial and industrial tenants, property owners, small businesses, and approximately 100 residents, some of whom fiercely protested the forced relocation.
In 1964,
Minoru Yamasaki was hired by the Port Authority as architect, and came up with the idea of twin towers. To meet the Port Authority's requirement to build 10 million square feet (930,000 m²) of office space, the towers would each be 110-stories tall. The size of the project raised ire from the owner of the
Empire State Building, which would lose its title of tallest building in the world.
Other critics objected to the idea of this much "subsidized" office space going on the open market, competing with the private sector. Others questioned the cost of the project, which in 1966 had risen to $575 million.
Final negotiations between The City of New York and the Port Authority centered on tax issues. A final agreement was made that the Port Authority would make annual payments in lieu of taxes, for the 40% of the World Trade Center leased to private tenants. The remaining space was to be occupied by state and
federal government agencies. In 1962, the Port Authority had signed up the
United States Customs Service as a tenant, and in 1964 they inked a deal with the
State of New York to locate government offices at the World Trade Center.
In August 1968, construction on the World Trade Center's north tower started, with construction on the south tower beginning in January 1969.
[12] When the World Trade Center twin towers were completed, the total costs to the Port Authority had reached $900 million.
[13] The buildings were dedicated on
April 4,
1973, with Tobin, who resigned the year before, absent from the ceremonies.
[14]
Post-Tobin era
In 1972,
William Ronan was chosen to succeed Austin Tobin as Executive Director of the Port Authority. Also in 1972, the PR name of the agency was changed to ''The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey'' (but the agency failed to secure the consent of Congress from whom it received its charter), along with structural changes implemented.
[15]
In the 1990s, the Port Authority faced controversy, with Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani alleging mismanagement at the Port Authority. He criticized the Port Authority for shifting airport revenues to support
PATH service and other projects in New Jersey. Giuliani went as far as proposing to break up the Port Authority,
[16] with New York Governor
George Pataki also suggesting a break-up.
[17]
September 11, 2001 attacks
The terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, and the subsequent collapse of the
World Trade Center buildings had an immense impact on the Port Authority. With Port Authority's headquarters located in 1 World Trade Center, it became deprived of a base of operations and sustained a great number of casualties. An estimated 1,400 Port Authority employees worked in the World Trade Center.
[18] The Port Authority lost a total of 84 employees, including 37 Port Authority Police Officers, its Executive Director,
Neil D. Levin, and police superintendent,
Fred Morrone.
[19] In rescue efforts following the collapse, two Port Authority police officers,
John McLoughlin and
Will Jimeno, were pulled out alive after spending nearly 24 hours beneath 30 feet of rubble.
[20][21] Their rescue was later portrayed in the
Oliver Stone film, ''
World Trade Center''.
Governance
The Port Authority is jointly headed by the governors of New York and
New Jersey. Each governor, with the approval of his or her state senate, appoints six members to the Board of Commissioners, who serve overlapping six-year terms without pay.
Current Commissioners are Hon. Bruce Blakeman (NY), Hon. Michael Chasanoff (NY), Hon. Anthony Coscia (Chairman, NJ ), Hon. Christy Ferrer (NY), Hon. Charles Gargano (V.Chair,NY), Hon. Angelo Genova (NJ), Hon.David Mack (NY), Hon.Ray Pocino (NJ), Hon. Anthony Sartor (NJ), Hon. Henry Silverman (NY), Hon. Jack Sinagra (NJ) and Hon. David Steiner (NJ). A governor can veto actions by the commissioners from the same state.
Meetings of the Board of Commissioners are public. The Board of Commissioners are typically comprised of business titans and political power brokers who maintain close relationships with their respective Governors.
Financially, the Port Authority has no power to tax and does not receive tax money from any local or state governments. Instead, it operates on the revenues it makes from its rents, tolls, fees, and facilities.
An Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Commissioners to deal with day-to-day operations and to execute the Port Authority's policies. Anthony Shorris is the current Executive Director of the Port Authority, after being nominated by New York Governor
Eliot Spitzer.
Former Executive Directors
★
Eugenius H. Outerbridge
★
Austin J. Tobin
★
William Ronan
★ Peter C. Goldmark
★ Stephen Berger
★ Stan Bresnoff
★ George Marlin
★
Robert E. Boyle
★
Neil D. Levin
★
Joseph J. Seymour★ Kenneth J. Ringler, Jr.
[22]
Facilities
The PANYNJ handles the third largest amount of American shipping, in tonnage, with only
Houston and
South Louisiana handling more.
Seaports
The Port Authority operates the Brooklyn Port Authority Marine Terminal in
Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY; the Auto Marine Terminal in
Bayonne and
Jersey City; the
Howland Hook Marine Terminal on
Staten Island; and the
Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal in
Elizabeth. The Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal was the first in the nation to
containerize,
[23] As of 2004, Port Authority seaports handle the third largest amount of shipping of all U.S. ports, as measured in tonnage.
Airports
Airports operated by the Port Authority include
John F. Kennedy International Airport and
LaGuardia Airport, both of which are located in
Queens,
New York;
Newark Liberty International Airport, located in
Newark and
Elizabeth,
New Jersey; and
Teterboro Airport, located in
Teterboro,
New Jersey. The Authority also operates the
Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
As of January, 2007, the Port Authority is to take over operation of
Stewart International Airport in
Newburgh later in the year, pending authorizing legislation. Both Kennedy and LaGuardia airports are owned by the City of New York and leased to the Port Authority for operating purposes. Newark Liberty is owned by Newark and also leased to the Authority.
Bridges and tunnels
Other facilities managed by the Port Authority include the
Lincoln Tunnel, the
Holland Tunnel, and the
George Washington Bridge, which all connect
Manhattan and northern New Jersey; the
Goethals Bridge, the
Outerbridge Crossing and the
Bayonne Bridge, which connect
Staten Island and
New Jersey. Cash tolls for passenger vehicles crossing from New Jersey to New York City are $6; there is no toll for crossing from New York to New Jersey. Discounts are available with the
E-ZPass electronic toll collection system: during peak hours (weekdays - 6-9 a.m., 4-7 p.m.; Sat./Sun. - noon to 8 p.m.), the discounted rate is $5, and at all other times (off-peak hours), the discounted rate is $4. Annual toll receipts from these facilities typically equal the initial construction costs. The Port Authority owns all these bridges and tunnels.
Bus and rail transit
The Port Authority operates the
Port Authority Bus Terminal at
42nd Street and the
George Washington Bridge Bus Station, the
Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit system linking lower and midtown Manhattan with New Jersey, the
AirTrain Newark system linking
Newark International Airport with
New Jersey Transit and
Amtrak via a station on the
Northeast Corridor rail line, and the
AirTrain JFK system linking JFK with
Howard Beach (Subway) and
Jamaica (Subway and
Long Island Rail Road).
Real estate
The Port Authority also participates in joint development ventures around the region, including The Teleport communications center in
Staten Island,
Bathgate Industrial Park in
The Bronx, the
Essex County Resource Recovery Facility, The Legal Center in
Newark, Queens West in
Long Island City, NY, and The South Waterfront at
Hoboken, New Jersey.
Current and future projects
Major projects by the Port Authority include the
Freedom Tower and other construction at the
World Trade Center site. Other projects include a new passenger terminal at JFK International Airport, and redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B, and rehabilitation of the Goethals Bridge.
[24] The Port Authority also has plans to buy 340 new PATH
rail cars and begin major expansion of Stewart International Airport.
World Trade Center site
Main articles: World Trade Center site
As owner of the
World Trade Center site, the Port Authority has worked since 2001 on plans for reconstruction of the site, along with
Silverstein Properties, and the
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. In 2006, the Port Authority reached a deal with
Larry Silverstein, which ceded control of the Freedom Tower to the Port Authority.
[25] The deal gave Silverstein rights to build three towers along the eastern side of the site, including
150 Greenwich Street,
175 Greenwich Street, and
200 Greenwich Street.
Also part of the plans, is the
World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which will replace the temporary PATH station that opened in November 2003.
See also
★
Port Authority Police Department
★
Transportation in New York City
★
Mass transit in New York City
★
Port authority
References
1. 2001 Annual Report
2. Tonnage for Selected U.S. Ports in 2004
3. Port Authority Announces Police Promotions
4. Shipping and Ports in the Twenty-first Century, Rodrigue, Jean Paul, , , Routledge, ,
5. Divided We Stand: A Biography of New York's World Trade Center, , Eric, Darton, Basic Books, 1999,
6. Cooperation, Capture, and Autonomy: The Interstate Commerce Commission and the Port Authority in the 1920s, Revell, Keith D., , , Journal of Policy History, 2000
7. History of the Port Authority
8. Empire on the Hudson, , Jameson W., Doig, Columbia University Press, 2001,
9. Twin Towers: The Life of New York City's World Trade Center, , Angus K., Gillespie, Rutgers University Press, 1999,
10. Land Use Lander, Brad
11. NAME OF IDLEWILD TO BE CITY AIRPORT; Cullman Proposes the Change and O'Dwyer Promises His Aid in Making Shift ADDED PRESTIGE OBJECT Port Authority Head Turns Over to Mayor the Releases From 17 Old Contracts
12. Timeline: World Trade Center chronology
13. Rails Under the Mighty Hudson: The Story of the Hudson Tubes, the Pennsy Tunnels, and Manhattan Transfer, , Brian J., Cudahy, Fordham University Press, 2002,
14. Divided We Stand: A Biography of New York's World Trade Center, , Eric, Darton, Basic Books, 1999,
15. New York: The Politics of Urban Regional Development, Danielson, Michael N., Jameson W. Doig, , , University of California Press, 1983,
16. Mayor Urges Breakup of Port Authority
17. Jitters for the Port Authority's Bondholders?
18. A DAY OF TERROR: THE VICTIMS; Companies Scrambling to Find Those Who Survived, and Didn't
19. 2002 Annual Report
20. A DAY OF TERROR: THE HOPES; Survivors Are Found In the Rubble
21. AFTER THE ATTACKS: ALIVE; Entombed for a Day, Then Found
22. Kenneth J. Ringler, Jr.
23. Empire on the Hudson, , Jameson W., Doig, Columbia University Press, 2001,
24. 2005 Annual Report
25. Deal puts Freedom Tower in P.A. control
External links
★
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - Official Website
★
Video of cornerstone laying ceremony for the Freedom Tower on July 4, 2004
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