The Port Authority’s recently approved 2011 budget generated few stories and could be described as underwhelming and another regional sign of the budget constraints within our transportation network. The $7.2 billion budget does not include fare or toll increase, includes zero growth in operating expenses, and few new projects.  The Port Authority already scaled down its multi-year capital program by $5 billion last year, so many projects are facing longer construction timelines.

A further look into budget documents reveals a number of interesting trends. Eastbound vehicular and commercial travel on tunnels, bridges and terminals has dropped more sharply than the drop in bus travel from 2007-2010.  While vehicular traffic dropped 3.7%  and truck traffic dropped 10%, bus traffic only dropped less than one percent.  Meanwhile, ridership on the PATH increased 2.1% during the same time period.  Containers coming into the Port’s terminals also dropped significantly by 6.7% providing additional proof of the recession’s impact on commerce.

Besides nearly $2 billion for rebuilding of the World Trade Center, the project list includes a number of notable components such as:

• $594 million initially allocated for Access to the Region’s Core. ARC, the new transit rail tunnel between Manhattan and New Jersey, was hastily canceled by a short-sighted Governor Christie.  After NY Governor-elect Cuomo takes office in January, he and Christie will have to agree upon how to spend a total of $3 billion in Port Authority funds previously allocated to ARC (including $594 million in 2011). TSTC has argued that projects to improve cross Hudson bus service, like a new bus garage on Manhattan’s West Side, more NJTransit buses, and a rebuilding of the Lincoln Tunnel’s helix, are appropriate landing spots.
• $247 million for new PATH cars and a signal system that will increase PATH’s capacity by 20%.
• $1 million for a PATH expansion study. According to Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman, this is an “ongoing effort to explore PATH extension to Newark Airport.” No further information was available.
• $25 million for the Port’s new Clean Air strategy which will reduce greenhouse gases 5% annually by, among other things, replacing some of the most polluting trucks in the port.
• $16 million for planning to replace the Goethals and Bayonne Bridges with more modern facilities.
• $9 million for all electronic tolling at Port Authority crossings, with a construction contract in place by end of 2011.
• $44 million for improved cross harbor freight service.
• $9 million for a permanent Hoboken ferry terminal.
• A saving of $1.5 million due to the elimination of free passes for Port Authority employees and commissioners.

Much like the transportation budgets that have been rolling out, missing are the ambitious transportation visions and plans.  Instead, we are seeing basic projects that help maintain status quo with limited funding.