PORT AUTHORITY 2023 LABOR DAY WEEKEND TRAVEL ADVISORY

Posted August 30, 2023
6.5 Million Travelers Expected to Fly, Ride or Drive Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend
 
Non-Emergency Repair Work Will be Suspended at Port Authority Crossings to Accommodate Higher Traffic Volume
 
PATH to Operate Modified Saturday Schedule on Monday, Sept. 4
 
Port Authority to Conduct DWI Checkpoints at Goethals Bridge
 
Take Mass Transit to the Plane Year-Round: Fare-Free LaGuardia Link Q70 Provides Connections to NYC Transit Subway, Buses and MTA Long Island Rail Road
 
To accommodate passengers and motorists traveling during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that non-emergency repair projects at its vehicular crossings will be suspended from 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5.
 
The agency anticipates more than 2.3 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports from Thursday, Aug. 31, through Tuesday, Sept. 5. This anticipated volume represents an increase of 3 percent compared to the same holiday period in 2019.
 
At the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels, as many as 4.2 million vehicles are expected to cross those facilities over the same six-day period based on recent travel trends, which is consistent with actual traffic volumes from the same six-day holiday period in 2019.
 
Additionally, the Port Authority remains committed to providing safe passage for all motorists throughout the region over the upcoming holiday weekend. Between 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, Port Authority police will conduct driving while intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints at the Goethals Bridge. Drivers will be subject to random inspection, and officers will distribute literature on the dangers of drinking and driving.
 
A separate travel advisory for any lane closures or service changes for the remainder of the week following the holiday will be issued next week.
 
All travelers, whether by air or road, are strongly encouraged to allow for additional travel time or take public transit whenever possible. 
 
ALL AIRPORTS & AIRTRAINS:
 
  • Visit the Port Authority’s Travel Tips & Information page here for help preparing for an upcoming trip by air, including how to check for parking availability or pre-book parking at the Port Authority’s airports.
     
  • As a reminder, summer peak period parking rates are now in effect at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports. To manage on-airport parking demand, the Port Authority is urgently calling on air travelers to use mass transit and to pre-book parking spaces if they plan to travel to the airport by private car. Travelers who do not pre-book are charged a summer peak period drive-up surcharge and may not be able to find a parking spot at the airport. To avoid paying a higher parking rate and guarantee a parking spot, travelers parking for longer than three hours are strongly encouraged to pre-book parking at least 24 hours in advance. For more information on the updated rates and how to guarantee a parking spot, click here.
     
  • As a reminder, Delta Air Lines has moved its operations from Terminal B to the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport. Customers should check for updated departure/arrival terminal information before arriving at the airport. For additional information, click here.
     
  • Through November 2023, major roadway work on the terminal frontage bridges of Newark Liberty International Airport requires the all-hours closure of one of the three traffic lanes servicing both terminals B and C. The construction work repairs and replaces deteriorating structural components to ensure continued operations and maintain a state of good repair. Check the airport website for updates on this critical work. For more information, click here.
     
  • Until further notice, the for-hire vehicle pick-up location at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5 will be relocated to Terminal 7’s Orange Garage roof due to airport redevelopment construction. Passengers seeking for-hire vehicle service from Terminal 5 should take AirTrain JFK to Terminal 7 for the Orange Garage. Passengers arriving to Terminal 5 will continue to be dropped off at the Terminal 5 frontage. Signage has been installed to direct passengers to pick-up locations. More details can be found here.
     
  • Until further notice, AirTrain JFK’s Terminal 1 station is closed to accommodate airport redevelopment construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Free shuttle buses from terminals 4 and 8 provide alternate service. Transfer between AirTrain JFK and free shuttle buses at AirTrain JFK’s Terminal 8 station at all hours. From 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, additional free shuttle bus service is available from Terminal 4. Customer service agents are available to assist. Details on this closure can be found here. For updated information regarding the JFK Redevelopment program, subscribe to the JFK Pulse: Redevelopment Broadcast or visit the JFK Airport website.
     
  • Until further notice, the taxi stand at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5 has been relocated to the ground level of Terminal 5’s Yellow Parking Garage. Passengers seeking taxi transportation from Terminal 5 are directed to the Yellow Garage via the skywalk on the fifth floor, where passengers may access the new taxi stand using elevators or stairs. Wayfinding signage has been installed along the pedestrian route.
     
  • Until further notice, parking on level 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Yellow Parking Lot at Terminal 5 is now dedicated for individuals with special needs or disabilities. For customer assistance, parking attendants are available on level 1. All other vehicles must park on levels 2 to 6. Premium Reserved Parking is available on level 5, which is easily accessible to Terminal 5 via the pedestrian skywalk. Electric vehicle charging is available on level 2. Plan ahead by checking parking availability and booking a parking spot in advance.
     
  • LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service is fare free year-round to encourage the use of public transit to and from LaGuardia Airport, as announced in April 2022 by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. For information on how to get to the airport via public transit, visit the MTA’s page on travel to LaGuardia Airport.
     
PATH
 
  • Regular overnight closures of the 9 St and 23 St stations will be suspended during the holiday weekend. The stations will remain open overnights from Friday evening, Sept. 1, through Tuesday morning, Sept. 5. They will close again for overnight maintenance from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
     
  • On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, trains will operate on a modified Saturday schedule on the Journal Square to 33 Street (via Hoboken) line. A schedule of planned holiday changes to PATH service for the remainder of 2023 is available here.
     
  • The southwest entrance to the Harrison station is closed at all hours to accommodate construction underway at the station. During construction, riders are required to use traffic signal pedestrian crossings at Angelo Cifelli Drive and Guyon Drive to access a corresponding station house on the opposite side of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard.  
     
  • Customers who use the PATH World Trade Center station during overnights should use the street level entrances at Fulton Street or Vesey Street via the North Concourse in the 2 World Trade Center transit lobby. Oculus access is limited overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for enhanced cleaning and the safety and security of customers due to reduced traffic volumes. All other entrances will be closed. For updates on the WTC campus, click here.  
     
  • For information on PATH service and train schedules, click here or download the PATH mobile app, RidePath.