For the week of January 30 to February 5, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is advising travelers to plan ahead due to scheduled lane closures and service changes across its facilities. The agency manages airports, bridges, tunnels, port facilities, and a rail system in the region and funds its operations through its own revenues. More information about the agency’s role can be found on its official website at https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority.
AirTrain Newark will be suspended from 8 p.m. Saturday, January 31 until 7 a.m. Sunday, February 1 for routine maintenance. Free shuttle buses will operate between all stations and airport terminals during this period.
Major construction continues at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as part of a $19 billion redevelopment project aimed at transforming JFK into an upgraded global gateway with new terminals and amenities. Travelers using JFK are encouraged to use mass transit options such as AirTrain JFK, MTA subways or buses, or Long Island Rail Road trains from Grand Central Terminal or Penn Station to Jamaica station for connections to AirTrain JFK.
Due to ongoing construction at JFK, motorists should expect delays or detours around parts of the airport roadway network. A new roadway configuration is in place: drivers should use Van Wyck Expressway for direct access to Terminals 1 and 4, while JFK Expressway serves Terminals 5, 7, and 8.
At Terminal 5, pickups for ride-app services have been relocated to the Howard Beach Ride App & Car Services Lot; passengers should take AirTrain JFK to Howard Beach station for these services. The taxi stand has moved to level one of Terminal 5’s Yellow Parking Garage. Level one parking there is reserved for individuals with special needs; other vehicles must park on levels two through six.
Terminal 7 arrivals have been shifted to the ground level of the Orange Garage (which remains closed for parking), while taxis now pick up passengers from the departures level due to height restrictions affecting bus and van access.
At LaGuardia Airport, fare-free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus service continues year-round as part of efforts encouraging public transit use.
Newark Liberty International Airport travelers are reminded that shuttles serving off-airport hotels/rental cars now operate from P3 station instead of P4 due to ongoing work on a new AirTrain Newark system. Additionally, weekday suspensions between Airport Train Station and other locations continue from 5 a.m.–3 p.m., with shuttle buses providing alternate connections during those hours.
The Port Authority urges air travelers at all three major airports—JFK, LaGuardia, Newark—to pre-book parking if traveling by private car since drive-up rates are higher during peak periods and availability may be limited without reservations.
PATH overnight maintenance closures will affect certain stations between midnight and early morning hours; riders are directed toward nearby alternatives when affected stations close temporarily.
Lane closures this week include:
– George Washington Bridge: Multiple eastbound/westbound lane closures on both upper/lower levels starting Friday night through Saturday morning; additional ramp closures throughout weekdays.
– Holland Tunnel: Nightly eastbound/westbound lane closures from Sunday through Thursday.
– Lincoln Tunnel: Scheduled tube closures during late-night/early-morning hours over several days.
– Outerbridge Crossing: One westbound right lane closure Thursday night into Friday morning.
Travelers are also reminded that TSA security checkpoints no longer accept non-REAL ID compliant state-issued identification cards; alternative forms such as passports remain valid per TSA guidelines.
The Port Authority operates within a port district covering about 1,500 square miles in New York and New Jersey. It oversees key infrastructure including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), PATH rail system, bridges like George Washington Bridge—and supports regional economic growth through investments in transportation infrastructure according to its official site https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority.
