The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has started construction on an expanded truck parking facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The project will triple the current on-airport truck parking capacity, adding new concessions and restrooms for drivers. The expansion is intended to address the increase in cargo operations at JFK and to reduce the number of trucks parked illegally on neighborhood streets near the airport.
“Breaking ground for the expansion of truck parking facilities at JFK Airport is a win for the airport, a win for the community and a win for the drivers who support our cargo operations and help to keep our region moving,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.“This is another example of how the Port Authority has been working closely with our neighbors to improve conditions for the community while we make historic investments at JFK Airport.”
“Whether it’s at JFK International, Newark Liberty or LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority has been laser-focused on working with the communities surrounding our airports to access the economic benefits of these facilities and lessen their environmental impacts,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Working together, we are reimagining our airports as places that will become true community assets.”
The Board of Commissioners approved a supplemental lease with JFK Airport Plaza’s operator to build and operate this expanded facility. The existing plaza includes amenities such as a food court, convenience store, gas station, electric vehicle charging stations, and space for up to 50 trucks. The new project will add capacity for 100 more trucks by demolishing Building 110—a vacant structure unused for over 25 years—and is expected to be completed by late 2026.
The upgraded facility aims not only to serve truck drivers but also airport employees, taxi drivers, and other transportation workers. Public restrooms in the plaza will be refurbished as part of modernization efforts.
Expanding truck parking was identified as necessary due to growth in air cargo activity at JFK. In 2024 alone, JFK handled 1.67 million tons of cargo—up five percent from 2023 and representing a quarter increase since 2019—making it one of the busiest cargo airports in both national and global rankings. This sector supports more than 93,000 jobs directly or indirectly and generates $11.4 billion annually in economic activity.
Earlier this year, a new $270 million consolidated cargo handling center opened at JFK through collaboration between Port Authority partners Realterm and Worldwide Flight Services. This state-of-the-art center brings four separate cargo zones into one location in order to reduce congestion and streamline operations.
Sustainability measures are integral to this expansion: plans include installing 35 universal electric-vehicle charging stations along with zero-waste procedures designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions as part of broader goals set by Port Authority.
“The groundbreaking for JFK’s new expanded parking plaza is a win for our local economy, our environment, and our communities,” said U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks of New York. “By improving cargo movement and reducing the number of illegal vehicles parked alongside our streets and airport roads, we’re addressing long-standing community concerns and enhancing efficiency. Additionally, this project also meets the Port Authority’s ambitious sustainability goals by incorporating electric vehicle charging, supporting zero-waste initiatives, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This is clear proof that JFK can modernize their infrastructure in a way that is accommodating for the businesses and communities they serve.”
“With the $20 billion modernization of Kennedy Airport comes a continued expansion of the facility’s capacity to process cargo. But that doesn’t mean families living near the airport should bear the burden of added truck traffic on their local streets, creating concerns around air quality and street safety,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This significant expansion of truck parking at JFK means they will not have to. Thank you to our partners at the Port Authority for continuing to address community concerns like these.”
“JFK is one of our region’s most important economic engines and it must work for everyone,” said New York state Sen. Leroy Comrie. “This investment ensures truck drivers have the facilities they need while protecting the quality of life for nearby residents. I commend the Port Authority for listening to community concerns and making this project a priority.”
“The Port Authority’s new truck parking facility at JFK is a forward-thinking investment that enhances cargo efficiency while directly addressing southeast Queens’ concerns about illegal truck parking,” said New York state Assembly member Alicia Hyndman.“By incorporating EV charging stations and sustainable technologies, the project sets a strong example for environmentally responsible infrastructure.I commendthePortAuthorityforprioritizingbothcommunityimpactandsustainability.”
“A hard fought victory is happeningforneighborsofJKFAirport!Foryears,residentshavecomplainedabouttrucksbeingparkedillegallyinthesurroundingstreets.WearegratefultheairportwillbetriplingtheirtruckparkinglotatJFKprovidingourtruckersasafespacetoleavetheirvehiclesovernight,”saidNewYorkstateAssemblymemberKhaleelAnderson.“JKFAirportistheheartoftheNYCeconomy,butitshouldn’tburdenneighbors.Asthevolumeandsizeofcargoincreases,Icontinuetoaskresidentstoreportillegallyparkedtrucks.”
“Today’s groundbreakingisawinforworkingfamiliesfortruckersandforourSoutheastQueenscommunities,”saidNewYorkCityCouncilMajorityWhipSelvenaN.Brooks-Powers,chairofthecommitteeontransportationandinfrastructure.“Fortoolong,residentshavedealtwiththeconsequencesofillegaltruckparking.Triplingthenumberofon-airporttruckparkingspacesatJKFisameaningfulstepforward.Thisprojectreflectsourcommitmenttobuildingsaferstreetssupportingtruckdriversandmodernizingourinfrastructurewithsustainabilityandequityattheforefront.IthankthePortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJerseyandallourpartnersforlisteningtothecommunityanddeliveringrealsolutions.”
“ThisexpansionatJKFisameaningfulsteptowardaddressingthetruckcongestionthathasimpactedbothairportoperationsandnearbycommunities.CreatingsafededicatedovernightparkingwithrealamenitiesfordriversisawinforthefreightnetworkforworkingpeopleandforsoutheastQueensresidentswhohavelongcalledforbetterplanningaroundtruckmovement,”saidNewYorkCityCouncilMemberDr.NantashaWilliams.“Aswemoveforwardwiththisimportantinvestment,I’malsoproudthatthecityisadvancinglegislationIintroducedIntro99-Bwhichgoesintoeffectthisweekthatensurescommunityinputandthoughtfulcoordinationwhennewtruckparkingzonesareestablished.Togethertheseeffortshelpbuildasmartermoreresponsiveapproachtoinfrastructureonethatrespectstheneedsofcommercewhileprotectingthequalityoflifeinourneighborhoods.”
“Today,wecanfinallylookforwardtothepotentialsolutionofaproblemourcommunitiessufferedthroughformanyyears…overnighttruckparking,”saidBryanBlock,chairofQueensCommunityBoard13.“NowfinallythroughtheeffortsofourlocalelectedofficialsandthePortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJerseythisproblemappearstohaveasolution—100-plustruckparkingspacesonthelandareawithinJKFAirport.Thisiswhatourcommunitieshavealwayswanted!”
“Thecompletionofthistruckparkingexpansionprojectwillbeanotherstepforwardtowardreducingtheimpactofairport-relatedtruckparkingonlocalstreetsinsouthernQueensnearJKFandwillprovideasafelocationwithadditionalamenitiesavailablefortruckers,”saidBettyBraton,chairofQueensCommunityBoard10.“WethankthePortAuthorityandallinvolvedinmovingthisprojectforwardtowardreality.”
“CommunityBoard14QisproudtosupporttheexpansionoftruckparkingatJKFAirport,”saidFeliciaJohnson,districtmanagerofQueensCommunityBoard14.“Thislong-overdueinvestmentwillhelpreducecongestiononourlocalstreetsimprovesafetyforresidentsanddriversandsupportthecriticalinfrastructurethatkeepsourcitymoving.WecommendthePortAuthorityandallpartnersinvolvedforlisteningtocommunityconcernsanddeliveringasolutionthatbalanceseconomicgrowthwithneighborhoodqualityoflive.”
“GatewayJFKBusinessImprovementDistrictisproudtosupportthiscriticalinvestmentinon-airporttruckparking,”saidJamesJohnsonexecutivedirectorofGatewayJFK“OurmissionistoensureJKFInternationalAirportremainsaglobalcargohubwhilesafeguardingthequalityoflifeforlocalresidentsandpromotingtheeconomicvitalityofourretailandcommercialcorridors.Thisprojectstrikesthebalancedapproachwe’velongadvocatedforsupportingcargogrowthwhilereducingthenegativeimpactsonnearbyresidentialneighborhoodsandsmallbusinesses.WelookforwardtoourcontinuedpartnershipwiththePortAuthoritytocreatesmartcommunity-consciousinfrastructuresolutions.”
“NewYorkCityisemergingasanationalleaderinaddressingtheurbantruckparkingcrisis,”saidZachMillervicepresidentofgovernmentaffairsofTruckingAssociationofNewYork.”Fromdevelopingoff-streettruckstopstopermittingon-streetparkinindustrialbusinesszonesthecityisadvancingcommon-sensesolutionstoalong-standingproblem.Today,thePortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJerseytakesamonumentalstepforward—triplingtruckparkingcapacityandaddingessentialamenities.Ourhardworkingtruckdriverskeepourcityandeconomymoving.Theydeservesafeaccessibleplacestorest.WeapplaudthePortAuthorityforitsleadershipandcommitmenttosupportingthetruckingworkforce.”
