NEWS |
161-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , November 17, 2000
Throughout the weekend - the busiest travel period of the year - more than three million people are projected to use the Port Authority's airports, bridges and tunnels.
About 1.3 million passengers are expected to use John F. Kennedy International, Newark International and LaGuardia airports during the Thanksgiving holiday period, a 5.2-percent jump over last year. This increase could put a strain on parking at all three of the region's airports - especially at Newark International where major construction projects have limited the amount of parking available for air travelers. All airport travelers are urged not to drive and to consider being dropped off at a terminal instead.
Travelers who do drive to Newark Airport should take advantage of lot D, economy lot G, valet parking near Lot E (which is now closed for construction), or private off-airport facilities. All parking facilities provide free shuttle service to the passenger terminals. Monorail service has been suspended and replaced by free bus service.
Parking near the terminals at Kennedy will be limited. There will be parking available in the long-term lot near the Lefferts Boulevard airport entrance and free shuttle buses will take passengers directly to terminals.
For current parking information at Newark Airport call 888 EWR-INFO and press 22 or tune radios to 530 AM when near the airport. Those planning to park at JFK can call 718-244-4444 or listen to 1630 AM for updates. For LaGuardia Airport parking information, call 718 533-3400 or tune into airport radio at 530 AM. Information on parking can also be found on the Port Authority Web site - www.panynj.gov.
Travelers should arrive 30 minutes earlier than the time recommended by airlines and use alternate modes of transportation including taxis, limousines or buses. Passengers can call 800 AIR RIDE for up-to-date information on other transportation options.
More than 1.7 million travelers are expected to use Port Authority bridges and tunnels during the five-day weekend. To ease congestion, the Port Authority will suspend construction and maintenance work at the George Washington Bridge, Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the three Staten Island Bridges.
Work at the George Washington Bridge will be suspended beginning at noon Wednesday, November 22, and resume on Monday, November 27, at 9 a.m. Work at the three Staten Island crossings will be suspended beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, and will resume at Monday, November 27, at 10 p.m. Work at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels will cease Wednesday at 6 a.m. and resume Monday at 12:01 A.M. For more information on construction, call the agency's tunnels and bridges "Customer Connection" line at 800 221-9903.
PATH will operate on a holiday/weekend schedule on Thanksgiving Day, with trains running every 15 minutes between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the Newark-World Trade Center, 33rd Street Journal Square Hoboken-33rd Street and Hoboken-World Trade Center lines.