One of the main components of the new Midtown Bus Terminal will be a sleek, innovative ramp system that efficiently manages the movement of buses from the Lincoln Tunnel to the Main Terminal. This portion of the facility includes direct access from the Lincoln Tunnel, ensuring a seamless transition for arriving buses. Using wider lanes, the Port Authority will build this new structure for 21st century buses, including double-deckers, which are larger than the buses that operated when the current terminal opened in 1950.
Creating dependability for riders is a priority in the design of the new Midtown Bus Terminal, and the state-of-the-art ramp structure will emphasize this goal. It will feature a bypass lane, which will eliminate backups and keep bus traffic flowing by allowing buses to move around stalled or disabled ones, which is currently not possible. The ramp’s design will also keep buses from circulating on city streets, a priority voiced by the surrounding community, by allowing them to change floors and gates within the interconnected facilities of the new Bus Terminal.
Ramps to Improve Bus Flow and Reduce Street Congestion
The Port Authority will construct a new 500,000-square-foot ramp structure at Galvin Plaza west of 10th Avenue to manage the movement of buses in and out of the Lincoln Tunnel. The structure will connect to the new Midtown Bus Terminal’s other key components, the Main Terminal and the Staging and Storage Facility, located at 39th Street and 10th Avenue. The ramp structure will:
- Provide a direct connection to the Lincoln Tunnel
- Part of Phase 1, with construction anticipated to start in late 2025 and be completed by 2028.
- Allow buses to change floors and gates without leaving the facility.
- Include a bypass lane for buses to move around stalled or disabled buses.