RPA remains committed to the core values of the Fourth Regional Plan—Equity, Health, Prosperity, and Sustainability—and will continue driving progress through strategic research, planning, and advocacy.
Key priorities for 2025 include continued support for the Gateway Program, Penn Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal; implementing and monitoring the launch of congestion pricing; ongoing efforts to address the region’s housing affordability crisis; support for investments that drive the transition to a net-zero carbon emissions economy by 2050; advancing regional resilience through comprehensive strategies; and ensuring the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Gateway, Penn Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Regional Plan Association strongly supports a series of investments to improve transit across the Hudson River and throughout the Northeast. This includes the Gateway Program, 11 projects that will modernize failing 112-year-old infrastructure that nearly 200,000 daily riders depend on every weekday. It will double train capacity between Newark and New York City — an investment that will improve rail and freight mobility from Washington, D.C. to Boston and beyond. Improved regional connectivity must also include a renovated Penn Station, including the possibility of an expansion of Penn Station, most likely to the south, to reap the benefits of the new Hudson River Tunnels. In 2025, RPA will continue to ensure that construction on the Hudson Tunnel progresses and that an environmental review for Penn Station’s reconstruction and expansion commences. RPA also supports redevelopment of the Port Authority Bus Terminal starting with the construction of a bus storage and staging facility beginning in 2025. - Addressing the housing affordability crisis
With a housing crisis affecting families throughout the region and threatening our global competitiveness, RPA has called for a series of state and local policy and zoning changes to allow more housing to be built, and to end exclusionary policies. RPA supports building more multi-family housing near transit and in walkable areas, legalizing accessory dwelling units and conversions, streamlining regulations for affordable or sustainable projects, and reducing parking minimums. As part of this, RPA program DesegregateCT will be hosting YIMBYtown 2025 in New Haven — the national pro-homes conference bringing together local, state, regional, and national stakeholders thinking about and working on making our communities more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable. - Transitioning to a net zero economy by 2050
RPA supports investments in clean energy, including the construction of offshore wind facilities, related transmission and other grid expansion, and port infrastructure. Both state and federal commitments will be needed to deliver the promised 9,000 megawatts of wind energy by 2035 in New York, 11,000 megawatts by 2040 in New Jersey, and 2,000 megawatts by 2030 in Connecticut, and unlock opportunities for a thriving offshore wind industry. RPA will also advocate for smoother, more equitable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through streamlined solar permitting and investments in cleaner, more efficient buildings. - Advancing comprehensive regional resilience
The only comprehensive plan for regional resilience today is the Army Corp of Engineers NY-NJ Harbor and Tributaries study. But this plan is both significantly flawed and at risk of being delayed or canceled by the incoming presidential administration. RPA seeks improvements to the plan’s approach, including the evaluation of multiple hazards (e.g. stormwater flooding), better understanding of and engagement around the plan, and the advancement of shorter term, individual projects that, in combination, will offer protection where it is most needed, for homes and businesses alike. - World Cup Planning
With the FIFA World Cup games, including the final match, coming to MetLife stadium in 2026, RPA is working to ensure the event not only runs smoothly, but also supports long-term transit and placemaking investments.
Transportation
- Implement and track congestion pricing
As congestion pricing comes online, the program’s historic traffic reduction, air pollution, and transit investment benefits must be tracked so the policy can be amended and improved over time to achieve its goals. - Fund the MTA and advance the Interborough Express (IBX)
RPA supports the MTA 2025-2029 capital program to maintain system reliability including the IBX which will deliver new light rail transit to 900,000 nearby residents in Brooklyn and Queens. As Albany works through Gov. Hochul’s budget, RPA will be there to press for the most robust capital plan funding possible. - Reform NYSDOT
RPA supports a vehicle miles traveled reduction target for New York and alternatives to highway capacity expansion projects including Cross Bronx 5 Bridges and Route 17. - A new approach to freight
Through RPA’s leadership role on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Task Force, we will help oversee the advancement of the BMT land swap between Port Authority and NYC, and advance a “blue highways” plan to reduce truck traffic pollution.
Housing
- Require housing production data and housing action plans
RPA supports legislation that will allow for a better foundation of information to help assess needs and build a case for a robust statewide framework. - Encourage Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Through research and advocacy, RPA supports a TOD package that incorporates opportunities outlined in RPA’s Homes on Track report. - Expand the Pro-Housing Community program
RPA supports strengthening this incentive program to fund infrastructure needs and require pro-housing policies such as transit-oriented development, legalization of ADUs, or infill development. - Implement City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and City of Yes for Families to improve housing affordability and homeownership
RPA will support the implementation of these citywide zoning reforms and new programs to increase homeownership and housing affordability across NYC.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
- Build Offshore Wind
RPA will track NY’s progress toward its goal of 100% clean energy by 2040, including the completion of current offshore projects, supporting future projects, and tracking investments into ports and transmission infrastructure, including further updates to the grid and a regional workforce. - Implement Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA)
RPA will work to ensure the state acheives targets identified in the CLCPA including adoption of guidance by agencies on how they will adhere to the CLCPA through agency decision making and reallocation of funding. - Pass the NY HEAT Act S.2016/A.4592
This legislation will remove the legal basis and subsidies driving the expansion of the gas system. Its passage and implementation should ensure state regulation and oversight of gas utilities provides for reduction and justice mandates as per the CLCPA.
Research
RPA’s 2025 research will continue to provide independent, data-driven thought leadership in support of our advocacy goals. Some of our forthcoming projects in New York include:
- Making the link between climate and housing
As we observe the devastation of climate-fueled wildfires in Los Angeles, RPA’s 2025 project with Cornell Atkison looks at the loss of housing due to climate changes in New York and identifies possible paths forward. - Project delivery
RPA will pursue research projects into ways to reduce infrastructure project cost and streamline delivery. - Creating a NYC affordable homeownership program
RPA is working with our partners to outline a new homeownership program to better assist moderate and low-income New Yorkers as they pursue homeownership. - Equitable fare policy
Through case studies and original research, RPA’s latest piece with the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange will elevate how fare and toll policy can advance equity. - Encouraging micromobility
RPA’s research will continue to document benefits of greenways, and make the case for an expansion and improvement to create a more coherent network of interconnected greenways to facilitate better, safer micro mobility in NYC.
Transportation
- Fund NJ TRANSIT and stop annual fare increases
RPA supports strengthening the dedicated operating aid for NJ TRANSIT won in 2024. The corporate transit fee raises vital revenue by establishing a 2.5% fee on businesses earning more than $10 million in annual net profit but requires reauthorization every five years and comes with automatic annual fare increases. In 2025, state officials should end annual fare hikes and permanently dedicate the corporate transit fee. - Maintain the transit system and invest in key projects
State and federal agencies should address the system delays that plague NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak and support capital investments (like the Newark Airport Rail Station Access project and the Gloucester-Camden Light Rail Line) that center the needs of the surrounding communities. - Reform local parking requirements
The reforms should focus on transit stations to encourage the best uses of street space (transit, housing, or green space).
Housing
- Pass statewide legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
There are currently four bills that include provisions to legalize ADUs, providing a new housing choice in single-family home neighborhoods. New legislation should not require parking or come with overly burdensome restrictions. - Advance Stranded Assets legislation
Law A2757 would create a two-year preemption of local zoning laws to help facilitate the conversion of underutilized office parks and malls to mixed-use development. - Improved Transit Village program
RPA supports advancing legislation to build upon NJDOT’s successful Transit Village program that incentivizes municipalities to redevelop the areas around transit stations to increase walkability and bikeability. - Approve a new New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan
The NJ State Plan serves as a blueprint for guiding growth, conservation, and redevelopment in the state, and seeks to balance economic development with environmental preservation, promoting sustainable and equitable growth. But this critical document is two-decades old, and the State needs to pass an updated version.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
- Turn the Meadowlands into a state climate preserve
The Meadowlands is expected to be heavily affected by climate change, and planning for the future will help protect nature and communities. - Advance offshore wind infrastructure
Clean energy proposals still face major opposition and will need support to keep pace with state environmental goals.
Research
RPA’s 2025 research will continue to provide independent, data-driven thought leadership to support our advocacy goals. Some of our forthcoming NJ research projects include:
- Tracking the effectiveness of housing policies
RPA will release a report that examines housing growth trends in NJ and whether the growth predictions in the 2001 State Development and Redevelopment Plan have been realized. - How NJ spends transportation dollars
RPA will analyze the NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT capital plans and identify ways to promote pro-equity and pro-climate investments. - Transportation governance reform
RPA is exploring potential benefits of restructuring the state’s transportation oversight, including the impacts of merging NJ TRANSIT and NJ Turnpike Authority. - Planning for Hudson County
Building off of RPA’s analysis of Jersey City housing trends and comments on the NJ Turnpike widening, RPA will develop a vision for growth and development in Hudson County, with recommendations for projects and investments. - Equitable fare policy
Through case studies and original research, RPA’s latest piece with the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange will look at how fare and toll programs across the country are advancing equity, with lessons for New Jersey.
Transportation
- Improve bus transit
The state’s bus service should be more effective through consolidating fare collection systems, regionalizing route planning, and expanding ongoing Bus Rapid Transit systems. - Expand bike and pedestrian mobility
CT should expand bike and pedestrian infrastructure with a focus on securing funding for the completion of key rails-to-trails networks across the state. - Support parking reform
Reducing parking requirements at the local level is part of our overall zoning reform efforts to increase highest, best use of street space from parking to transit and housing. - Equitable fares
Fare reform for youth and college-aged students will increase ridership and reduce fare evasion. - State transportation fund
The long-term funding structure for the state transportation fund needs improvement.
Housing
- Pass Work Live Ride law
This legislation will help build more state and local capacity for planning and developing transit-oriented communities. - Building code reforms
The 2024 legislation legalizing single-stair code reforms must be implemented in state code as widely as possible. - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Build support for the 2021 legislation RPA helped pass and continue to bring together stakeholders in the public and private sector to develop a state-wide strategy to expand construction and financing of ADUs. - Affordable Housing Plans
The implementation of local affordable housing plans with the CT Department of Housing and coalition partners will remain a priority in 2025.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
- Offshore wind (OSW) production
CT needs faster adoption of OSW through the Port of New London and better tracking to meet it clean energy goals.
Research
RPA’s 2025 research will continue to provide independent, data-driven thought leadership to support our advocacy goals. Some of our forthcoming research projects in Connecticut include:
- Analyzing the potential for more development near transit
Based on RPA’s work in New York and New Jersey, our Homes on Track in CT report will detail areas with the greatest potential to encourage more housing near transit. - Promoting housing choice in CT
RPA will continue to partner with the Housing Collective and Local Initiatives Support Corporation to address the state’s housing crisis, including recommendations to advance ADUs throughout the state. - Promoting equitable fare policy
Through case studies and original research, RPA’s latest piece with the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange will look at how fare and toll policies are advancing equity across the country, with lessons for Connecticut.