This paper utilizes the cross-layer architecture to implement adaptive resource allocation in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based on the broadband wireless access system. According to the cross-layer architecture, the information in link layer is used for adaptive resource allocation in OFMDA. A new cross-layer adaptive resource allocation algorithm is developed which can guarantee the users to be in minimum average waiting time in link-layer and get the better spectrum utilization. Numerical results show that our scheme is appealing and can get about half of average waiting time less and 0.5 bps/Hz spectrum utilization more than the scheme in 1EEE802.16a.