The Port Authority has a massive new budget.

The Board of Commissioners today voting to approve a $9.3 billion annual spending plan that will tackle projects at the region's airports.

A new AirTrain at Newark Airport.

And kickstart the construction of a new midtown bus terminal.

The budget is $1,000,000,000 higher than last year's as the agency eyes a return to pre-pandemic spending.

But that extra cash has to come from somewhere.

And a senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan, reports.

Part of the plan is to raise tolls and transit tickets to pay for it.

The votes are in order.

The item is approved.

With a unanimous vote.

The bi state Port Authority launched next year more than $9 billion budget.

It'll boost spending by a billion bucks.

Raise tolls to help pay for it and try to improve some of the mass transit sore spots that routinely try travelers souls like jam packed PATH trains and the obsolete, overcrowded mid-town bus terminal.

As one supporter commented, the.

Infrastructure commitments being made today will benefit New Jersey and the region for the remainder of the 21st century.

Here's the basics.

The $9.3 billion plans spends $1,000,000,000 more than this year.

Almost 4 billion will keep the wheels turning and the planes flying.

3.6 billion will fund big transit projects and the rest mostly pays debt.

For travelers tired of delays, The capital spending plan tackles constructing a better Newark AirTrain.

Developing a new midtown bus terminal and buying 72 new path train cars so the system can handle a rapid growth in ridership.

Riders have asked for more PATH service, the agency reported.

A Hundred and ten of the comments were requesting consideration of expanded path service on the nights and the weekends.

As PATH ridership continues its steady recovery and we have seen the recovery levels higher in those periods.

Path is also install the new tap and go payment system at its turnstiles.

As for the new AirTrain, it will involve cables and wheelhouse.

It's a new cable drawn vehicle, so it's electric powered.

The initial build out consists of five cars on each train and we expect the service to come in in 2029.

The budget also includes toll hikes at the six bridges and tunnels, where it'll cost an extra $0.63.

Next year, a 3.7% increase tied to the Consumer Price Index.

That will push peak E-Z pass tolls well over 15 bucks A car of up to more than $13 and mailings to an eye watering 1763.

The agency can't yet estimate how congestion pricing will impact revenues, but says it needs the toll hikes.

They are important and necessary to provide the support for us to pay for our increased expenses as a result of inflation, as well as to support the capital program.

The budget includes millions to fix, wear and tear on existing structures like the George Washington Bridge in the Holland Tunnel.

It'll repair damage done by Superstorm Sandy, and it aims to improve resilience to climate change.

A growing complication for transportation Systems Worldwide.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ.

Spotlight News.