NEWS |
101-99: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , August 31, 1999
To make the holiday as safe as possible, the Port Authority Police will conduct random tests for intoxicated drivers at the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln and Holland tunnels on Friday and Saturday.
New York Governor George E. Pataki said, "We have a lot to celebrate this Labor Day weekend. The economy is strong, and people are looking forward to the last long week-end of summer."
New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman said, "I join Port Authority officials in wishing residents a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. Record numbers of people in our region have been traveling this year, thanks to continued growth and a healthy job market."
Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle said that the strength of the regional economy has helped to produce record levels of traffic at Port Authority facilities. So far this year, Mr. Boyle said, 59.9 million vehicles have used agency bridges and tunnels - up from 58.7 million for the comparable period in 1998. From Friday, September 3, through Monday, September 6, some 2.6 million drivers are expected to use agency crossings.
Air travel also is expected to be heavy. More than 1.2 million travelers are expected to use John F. Kennedy International, Newark International and LaGuardia airports over the weekend, Mr. Boyle said. Over the first six months of this year, passenger volume at the region's three major airports was running 1.6 percent above last year's record.
Because of the heavy traffic, it is important to allow extra time. Airport passengers should call 800 AIR-RIDE to check parking availability and traffic conditions.
That's especially important at JFK, where ten construction projects are under way as part of a $9 billion reconstruction of the airport, and at Newark International, where Lots D and near the monorail fill up quickly. Newark passengers are encouraged to use economy lots G and H, where free buses to the terminal area are available.
If you're driving to JFK, tune your radio to 1630 AM for the latest on airport traffic conditions and available parking spaces. Parking updates for Newark are available on the airport's highway advisory radio at 530 AM.
For Port Authority bridges and tunnels, construction updates are available year-round on the Port Authority's Web site, www.panynj.gov, or by calling 800 221-9903. People with hearing or speech impairments can call 800 733-8899 weekdays between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
At the Port Authority Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station,ticket-counter lines are expected to build early on Friday, September 3, so travelers should allow extra time. Bus information for both the midtown bus terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station is available at 212 564-8484.
If PATH passenger volumes are heavy on Friday, September 3, PATH will add extra afternoon trains to handle the earlier rush hour.
PATH will operate a holiday schedule on Monday, September 6. For further information, travelers should call 800 234-PATH.
New York Waterway ferries from Hoboken to the World Financial Center in Battery Park City will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, September 6, with service every 30 minutes from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M.