FAA approves controversial LGA AirTrain
dents and strong hiring
requirements, to STEM
programming and college
scholarships for local students.”
Ramos took to Twitter
to voice her opposition to
the news.
“This is a huge slap in
the face by @NYGovCuomo
to the residents of East
Elmhurst. COVID has
already taken a devastating
toll on our neighbors,”
Ramos tweeted. “The last
thing we need is a multibillion
dollar vanity project
that will further affect
the health & well-being of
our communities.”
QNS reached out to
Ocasio-Cortez’s office for
comment and is waiting
for a response.
Meanwhile, the
Queens Chamber of Commerce
is applauding the
FAA’s decision.
“This investment in
LaGuardia Airport will
catalyze economic activity
that supports local
businesses and local communities,
and comes at
a time when many small
businesses in Queens
are struggling to survive
after a difficult year,”
Queens Chamber of Commerce
President and
CEO Thomas J. Grech
said. “We are thankful to
the Port Authority, and
to all of the local business
leaders, economic
development groups,
transportation advocates,
labor unions and civic
stakeholders who helped
push this vital project forward.”
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or
by phone at (718) 260–4538.
BT TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JULY 30–AUGUST 5, 2021 15
BY BILL PARRY
The federal government
has given the green
light for the $2.1 billion
LaGuardia AirTrain project
in which a light rail
system will be constructed
to connect the airport
to the Willets Point transportation
hub near Citi
Field.
Governor Andrew
Cuomo announced on
Tuesday, July 20, the approval
by the Federal
Aviation Administration
that will allow a “reliable,
efficient and affordable
transit connector” to La-
Guardia Airport, which
is undergoing an $8 billion
redevelopment.
“This is the culmination
of years of advocacy
by this administration
and a key moment in our
efforts to rebuild New
York’s infrastructure for
the future,” Cuomo said.
“As we come out of the
COVID crisis, our state
and country have a oncein
a-lifetime opportunity
to invest in a resilient,
transformative and interconnected
future, and
today’s announcement
is a testament to our ‘all
aboard’ commitment to
seizing it in partnership
with the Biden administration.”
The FAA issued its
decision on the environmental
review for the
proposed construction of
the AirTrain allowing the
Port Authority to proceed
with the controversial
project.
“We thank the FAA for
conducting an exhaustive
and independent environmental
review that benefited
from extensive input
and engagement from the
public and local community
during the two-yearlong
EIS process,” Port
Authority Executive Director
Rick Cotton said.
“LaGuardia Airport is
the only major airport on
the East Coast without a
rail mass transit link, and
it is way past time for that
embarrassment to end.”
The FAA approval process
was a turbulent one
with opposition from state
Senator Jessica Ramos,
Congresswoman Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez and a
number of environmental
groups and community
organizations causing a
delay in the final approval
of the project.
Cotton said construction
on supporting infrastructure
is set to begin
this summer, and the Port
Authority will continue
offering regular engagement
opportunities for local
residents throughout
the construction period
as well as regular updates
on the project as well as
progress on community
benefit commitments.
“The LaGuardia
AirTrain will provide a
sustainable and reliable
travel option to LaGuardia
Airport. It will remove
millions of vehicles
from congested highways
and local roads each
year,” Cotton said. “The
transformative AirTrain
project will help drive
the region’s economic recovery
by creating 3,000
union construction jobs
and more than $500 million
in business contracting
opportunities for minority
and women owned
businesses and local,
Queens-based businesses.
It also includes a historic
investment of $50 million
in the Malcolm X Promenade
along Flushing Bay
and other neighborhood
parks. Additionally, the
LaGuardia AirTrain includes
a robust package
of other community benefits,
from investments in
workforce development
programs for local resi-
A rendering of the proposed LaGuardia AirTrain.
Courtesy of Port Authority
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