PANYNJ maps out major upgrades in new capital plan

PANYNJ maps out a 2026–2035 capital plan that spans airports, rail systems, and seaport assets, and the document sets funding levels and project priorities for the coming decade.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

PANYNJ capital plan structure

Between 2026 and 2035, the capital plan dedicates $45 billion to projects across airports, rail systems, and seaport facilities, and Progressive Railroading reports that this proposal ranks as a record program for the agency.

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At John F. Kennedy International Airport, it specifies major upgrades to the existing AirTrain system. Meanwhile, at Newark Liberty International Airport, it calls for a full AirTrain replacement plus improvements to the PATH rail network.

Within PATH, the plan outlines new uptown tracks, expanded tap-to-pay fares, and technology to reduce fare evasion. In real terms, it presents these changes as part of one of the largest service increases in PATH’s history.

The document states that, starting in 2026, all four PATH lines will run seven days a week for the first time in 25 years. It notes PATH will phase in service increases through 2026 and 2027.

At the same time, the capital plan also includes a $2.7 billion contribution to the Northeast Corridor Gateway Program and continues the authority’s state-of-good-repair initiatives. According to the authority’s capital plan overview, these elements sit within the broader 2026–2035 investment framework.

It also notes ongoing seaport rail upgrades that connect marine terminals to CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, and the authority-owned short line New York New Jersey Rail, which together provide daily rail connections.

PANYNJ budget and operational priorities

For the 2026 fiscal year, the authority proposes a $10.1 billion budget that sits alongside the capital plan. In its formal announcement, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey allocates $4.2 billion for operating expenses, $4.1 billion for capital spending, and $1.7 billion for debt service.

The budget reserves $1.1 billion for safety and security measures across the authority’s facilities. It states that these spending plans support net-zero emissions and climate-resilience goals and align with projects listed in the capital plan.

Because PATH receives no state or federal funding, the authority still pairs the service increases with fare adjustments. It proposes a 25-cent increase in summer 2026 and 25-cent increases each January from 2027 through 2029.

Taken together, the capital plan and the proposed budget outline how the authority intends to fund rail, airport, and seaport projects over the coming years. They set out the core spending priorities and planned service changes.

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