The governor of New York State, Andrew M. Cuomo recently signed into legislation the advancement of an AirTrain project that will better connect New York’s LaGuardia Airport with the surrounding city.
The state government released a statement following the signing that can be read below.
“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation to advance the process to build a new AirTrain connection to LaGuardia Airport.
The new law will allow multiple potential alignments to be considered during an upcoming environmental review of the proposed AirTrain LGA project, planned between the airport and the Long Island Rail Road Station and the 7 subway train at Mets-Willets Point in Flushing, Queens.
The Governor’s action marks another critical step toward making a mass-transit link between Midtown Manhattan and LaGuardia a reality, which will help reduce vehicular congestion and delays for passengers traveling to and from the airport.
AirTrain LGA seeks to establish a reliable, convenient means of travel, with less-than 30-minute trips between the airport and New York Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. It will also provide rail access from all of Long Island via the LIRR as well as the MTA’s 7 subway line.
“The new LaGuardia Airport will provide an improved customer experience with better access to airlines and public transportation for all passengers – essential to the airport’s transformation,” Governor Cuomo said.
“AirTrain LGA will set an example of comprehensive transit infrastructure for the rest of the nation, and will pay dividends for decades by connecting riders to transit hubs across the Metropolitan area, boosting passenger growth across all airlines, and providing a more efficient means of travel for generations to come”.
The development of airport infrastructure in the US to meet passenger demand is a major consideration in the US.
A capital expenditure at airports review by CAPA released earlier this year found that the country lacks infrastructure investment.
99% of airports in the US are state-owned and investment is provided by the state or federal funds. The current Trump administration is considering privatization as a method for driving capex injection into US airports.
“For too long, LaGuardia Airport has had the dubious distinction of being the only major East Coast airport without a rail link, and that is unacceptable,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.
“Simply put, a 21st century airport must meet global standards, and that requires rail mass transit access. The AirTrain will complement the ongoing $8 billion redevelopment of LGA into a world-class airport worthy of New York.”
Construction is anticipated to start in 2020 and conclude in 2022.
