Bringing History Up To Date

The objective’s to boost ferry capacity significantly at this iconic multimodal facility across the Hudson River from New York City. Over the past six years, through three phases, it’s meant extensive dredging and marine construction, plus $119M in funding.

Of the cash, about 25% has been provided by the federal government, 50% by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANY&NJ) and 25% by New Jersey Transit, which owns and operates the terminal.

Restored features and sections of the historically registered terminal, which hosts rail, light rail, bus and ferry services, are impressive trophies – the copper-clad exterior and Greek Revival waiting room are fine examples of their kind. But engineers and contractors have had their hands full in bringing the structure up to 21st-century demands.

It’s an intricate, challenging and heavy-duty process, as Hoboken restoration project manager Jason Wormeck told DPC. Parts of the terminal were “pretty decrepit” before work started, he said, and there’s plenty more to do during the current third phase – in particular, combining historic elements with new technologies, such as fibre-optic lighting systems. Among the broader goals are increasing transportation options within the New York metropolitan area and continuing the redevelopment of northern New Jersey’s Hudson River waterfront.

The background story is notable. Hudson River ferry services – operated from this terminal by BillyBeyFerry Company and elsewhere by NY Waterway – are regulated by PANY&NJ and have been in the global media spotlight twice in the past decade:

• During the dreadful 11 September 2001 terrorist attack, and


• In January 2009, when NY Waterway ferries were among those that raced to a stricken US Airways aircraft after it ditched i ...