"Poor management" at the Port Authority has resulted in billions of dollars in cost overruns at the World Trade Center site, according to an audit requested by Governors Cuomo and Christie, who control the Authority. The report, released yesterday, found the cost of rebuilding at the 16 acre site has risen to $14.8 billion, up from an $11 billion forecast in 2008. Auditors blasted the agency as "dysfunctional," and recommended a "top-to-bottom overhaul" if it is to stay solvent. more ›

A traveler who tripped up security at LaGuardia airport with a homeopathic medical device yesterday was eventually allowed to proceed on to his destination, albeit without his mysterious New Age device. But long after he was gone, the device—which could possibly be mistaken for a crude pipe bomb—caused a bomb scare at the airport, because security screeners left the pipe behind after their shift change without telling the next team what it was. more ›

As if the hellish sight of thousands of commuters trying to get out of the World Trade Center PATH station weren't convincing enough, the Port Authority has gone and confirmed earlier reports that PATH ridership is—despite that fare hike—way up. How up? 3.6 percent from to an all-time high of 76.6 million riders a year. more ›

When it comes to bad airports, New York is number one! At least that's what a story in Frommer's would have us believe. In a list of the ten worst airport terminals in the world, the travel company singled out all three of New York's major airports for consideration. Why? "In large part because they're run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a hideously mismanaged money sink that does a poor job of responding to air travelers' needs." more ›

Construction to revamp the JFK's international terminal, Terminal 4, has been underway since 2010, with the goal to gussy up the outdated structure and add several new gates, among other things. Today, the Times takes a peek at how things are going over there, despite the fact that the project won't be finished until at least 2013. And what they found, is, surprisingly, kind of good? more ›

Watching Wings reruns all day and telling your grandchildren how they never call are just a few of the joys of retirement. But if you worked for the Port Authority, you could also count on a free E-ZPass to cross as many bridges and tunnels as necessary in search of discount Metamucil. But last year, with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's blessing, the PA abolished the free E-ZPasses for retirees to save $1.5 million annually. 65-year-old former PA police sergeant Thomas Westfield believes it's unfair, and is suing. "It's a benefit that I earned and counted on. It was promised to us," he told the Wall Street Journal. No word on the Port Authority's promise to allow retirees to "skip the line at Port Authority Prom." more ›

Port Authority police are investigating a possible suicide at the George Washington Bridge. NJ.com reports, "A bicyclist discovered an iPad, a set of keys and a pair of shoes on the upper-level, eastbound walkway about halfway across the bridge," and a Port Authority spokesman said, "It appears we have a jumper, about 8 o'clock this morning." more ›

If the point of the Port Authority's September toll hikes was to push more people to take mass transit, they've worked like a charm. Between September 19th and November 22nd, PATH ridership between Manhattan and New Jersey saw an uptick of about 560,000 riders (or 3.7 percent). Meanwhile 890,000 fewer cars and trucks used the Port Authority's bridges and tunnels in that period. Still, there is good news all around: The Port Authority is expecting to take in 20 percent more revenue than it did last year. more ›

A tipster just sent us this photo taken from Gate 14 of JFK's JetBlue terminal showing a fire on the airfield. Sarah Jenny writes, "A woman just flipped out at her husband and threatened to not get on the plane. Some people freaked out, some people not noticing." Others have taken to Twitter to report the fire, with one saying that it appears to be under control. We're currently awaiting comment from the Port Authority, and will update when more information becomes available. more ›

Because the spirit of togetherness and healing the country felt after September 11 is far behind us, the 9/11 Museum's projected opening date of September 2012 is likely to be pushed back, as the Port Authority and the September 11 Memorial & Museum foundation are at odds over hundreds of millions of dollars in construction costs. "The Port Authority, the city and the museum are working collaboratively to resolve these matters," the PA's executive director tells the WSJ. What, they didn't sell enough commemorative coins? more ›

A three-year-old Doberman's rambunctious life came to an abrupt end on Staten Island last night when an off-duty Port Authority police officer shot the frisky pet while he walked his own dog through the neighborhood of Westerleigh. The Staten Island Advance reports that the Mazzola family pulled into their driveway around 9 p.m. after a long drive home from the Catskills, and their Doberman Boo Boo burst out of the car as soon as the doors opened. It would be his last romp, because, unfortunately for him, an armed off-duty cop was walking past the house with his pug. more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] 42nd Street is currently closed to traffic between 7th and 9th Avenues as the FDNY investigates a "foul odor" that has landed four people in the hospital and prompted the evacuation of a building at 330 West 42nd Street. The FDNY tells us the four were taken to Bellevue, and that 100 people have been evacuated from the 4th floor of the building, which happens to be the McGraw-Hill Building, right by Port Authority. The FDNY is investigating the source of the foul odor, but if you've ever had to use the men's room at Port Authority, you know it shouldn't be too hard to track down the source. more ›

Even if you have a much-craved "objective," starting a successful protest movement is tough. Staten Island resident Joe Valentin wants his brethren rise up and boycott the Port Authority due to its recent fare hikes, and stood outside the Rossville Shopping Center all day yesterday to rally support. But he had no luck garnering disciples. "I talk to people; everybody supports what I'm doing, they want to thank me, but that's not what I want. I want them to do something," Valentin told the Staten Island Advance. What Valentin doesn't realize is that a boycott of the PA is a boycott of Love. more ›

Ten years ago the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at 155 Cedar Street was destroyed when the World Trade Center towers collapsed. And for the past ten years, there has been seemingly interminable negotiations about rebuilding it. One of the main sticking points was how much money the Port Authority would kick in—as you may know, the Authority has had a little money trouble, in part because of that rather unnecessary $3.3 billion office tower at 1 World Trade Center. Earlier estimates, according to City Room, put the Port Authority's share of the project at $40 million. But with the new design for the church agreed upon, the Port Authority will kick in "just" $25 million. Something to think about next time you're crossing the Hudson River. more ›

Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority, intends to resign by the end of October according to reports. Combined with the departure of Jay Walder from the MTA this means that Governor Andrew Cuomo is in a position to firmly put his stamp on New York's transportation systems. The departure of Ward, a David Paterson appointee credited with getting the World Trade Center back on track, has been rumored since Cuomo took first office. And, again, rumors of Cuomo's coldness are mentioned. more ›

So how are the new Port Authority tolls working out? In short: Great for mass transit, bad for parking lots. The Post today does some anecdotal reporting and finds that the hike, which went into effect earlier this month, has been an immediate bummer for local businesses. "A lot of people are taking the train now," an attendant at a garage at Seventh Avenue and West 31st Street told the tabloid. "Before, we made about $2,500 a day. Now we make about $1,800." more ›

They're all just thieving, gropey-handed perverts until they actually catch someone: TSA agents at JFK airport nabbed a 54-year-old man yesterday with a battery-powered stun gun, three "electric stun batons," an "electric stun pen," and pepper spray. According to the Post, Mohamed Hefni was waiting in a first-class lounge to board a Saudi Airlines flight to Riyadh when he was detained for the contents of his checked bag. more ›

The current commanding officer at the World Trade Center has been accused by a fellow police sergeant of pressuring Bronx cops to make ticket quotas, and of routinely using racist language. In his lawsuit, Sgt. Christopher Groben has also accused Inspector Donald McHugh of ordering him to give negative performance evaluations to two "well-regarded" black sergeants when he was commander of the 41st Precinct in the Bronx between October 2008 and September 2010. more ›

The city's three major airports are resuming and rescheduling the hundreds of flights cancelled by Hurricane Irene, though officials warn that not everything is hunky dory just yet. more ›

The FBI is still on the search for Donna Borup, a woman who threw acid in the face of a Port Authority Cop at JFK Airport, way back in 1981. The FBI hasn't been able to track Borup down, so it just released a statement and an updated picture of what she might look like today in order to hopefully get some solid leads. more ›

Airlines have begun cancelling hundreds of flights to and from New York-area airports as Hurricane Irene draws closer—bad news for travelers trying to get the hell out of Dodge. more ›

It's all the rage to overanalyze every single thing that has to do with traveling via airplanes, so it's a bit surprising to learn that New Jersey authorities let a man board a flight after they discovered a hidden knife in one of his bags. more ›