Nonetheless, he said, that greater capacity has to be accommodated. "We need a new partner in Washington, a new FAA" to help figure out how to bring rationality to the system, he said. He noted that Stewart Airport, in the upstate New York town of New Windsor, will eventually become "a key reliever" of the three major airports' increasing congestion.

The region's rail network--which Ward said lacks the connectivity of a true network--has to be integrated "so that people know they can commute in this region without getting in their cars." He called the forthcoming ARC tunnel that will boost trans-Hudson rail capacity "a regional project" of tremendous importance to both New York and New Jersey.

Ward also called for enactment of congestion pricing "or some other mechanism," and said that an expanded ferry system and high-speed rail are both under consideration to alleviate roadway traffic. However, he said, "I don't think we should kid ourselves that high speed rail is an inexpensive option."

The New York/New Jersey region's ports have been growing over the years and will need greater capacity in the future, Ward said. He added that bringing the docking facilities of Bayonne, NJ into the picture is one option, although there would be a challenge in moving huge container ships under the Bayonne Bridge.

In response to a question from former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who was in attendance, Ward said public-private partnerships will likely be called on increasingly in the near future. A project such as the rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge--with a price tag variously estimated at $5 billion, $14 billion or $20 billion--would strongly suggest this approach, he said.