Work to Begin on New Ferry Terminal

Construction will start this year on a new $35.7 million floating ferry terminal at Battery Park City under a contract approved by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Spearin, Preston and Burrows of Staten Island, N.Y. will build the new terminal that will offer additional seating, an expanded waiting area, restrooms and concessions. It will replace a temporary one that is used by more than 7,800 weekday commuters.

The existing ferry terminal has two ferry slips and accommodates 250 landings per day. The new terminal will provide:

• Five ferry slips that will accept side- and end-loading vessels
  
• A larger passenger waiting area to reduce crowding
  
• Improved amenities, such as separation of arriving and departing passengers, restrooms, concessions, additional seating and improved lighting

Bridge Study Released

The New York State Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Metro North Railroad issued an executive summary of the results of the origin and destination survey conducted as part of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 environmental review.

The survey found that on an average weekday 80,457 people crossed the Tappan Zee Bridge heading eastbound. Of these, 98 percent crossed in automobiles and 2 percent in express buses. Fifty-one percent of these trips ended in Westchester County and about 28 percent ended in New York City. Sixty-five percent of the trips originate in Orange and Rockland Counties, with 42 percent from southern Rockland County alone.

The information will be used to help determine which alternative for the bridge best meets the needs of the public. The survey summary can be found on www.tzbsite.com.

JFK Improvements Approved

A series of aeronautical improvements designed to maintain runways, taxiways and related infrastructure at John F. Kennedy International Airport was approved the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board of commissioners.

The improvements are aimed at preparing the airport for the next generation of quieter and more efficient aircraft, the double-deck, 55-seat Airbus 380, which is scheduled to debut in late 2006. The project is estimated to cost $179 million.

Car Rental Center Complete

The new Avis Rental Center at John F. Kennedy Airport was completed by E. W. Howell Co., Inc., which served as general contractor on the project.

The approximately 15,000-sq.-ft. building was constructed in close proximity to the new AirTrain. The location of the site is near the air cargo buildings just off of Federal Circle, one of the many entrances to the airport.

During construction, Avis operated from an existing building as temporary office space. After the new building was complete, the existing building was demolished.