FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JULY 29, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3
Biden administration approves LaGuardia AirTrain project
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th e 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, effi cient and aff ordable
transit connector” to LaGuardia Airport,
which is undergoing an $8 billion redevelopment.
“Th is is the culmination of years of
advocacy by this administration and a
key moment in our eff orts 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 once-in-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.”
Th e 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 benefi ted from extensive
input and engagement from the public
and local community during the twoyear
A rendering of the proposed LaGuardia AirTrain.
long 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.”
Th e 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 fi nal
approval of the project.
Cotton said construction on supporting
infrastructure is set to begin this summer,
and the Port Authority will continue
off ering regular engagement opportunities
Courtesy of Port Authority
for local residents throughout
the construction period as well as regular
updates on the project as well as progress
on community benefi t commitments.
“Th e 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. “Th e 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 benefi ts, from investments in
workforce development programs for local
residents and strong hiring requirements,
to STEM programming and college scholarships
for local students.”
Ramos took to Twitter to voice her
opposition to the news.
“Th is 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. “Th e last thing we need is a
multi-billion dollar vanity project that will
further aff ect the health & well-being of
our communities.”
QNS reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s
offi ce for comment and is waiting for a
response.
Meanwhile, the Queens Chamber of
Commerce is applauding the FAA’s decision.
“Th is 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 aft er a diffi cult year,”
Queens Chamber of Commerce President
and CEO Th omas 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.”
Urgent-need blood drive to be held in Bay Terrace
Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Braunstein’s offi ce
Assemblyman Braunstein is pictured at his offi ce’s Eighth Annual Summer Blood Drive with Michele McCaff rey, New York Blood
Center account manager, and Arlex Castano, New York Blood Center donor specialist.
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@schnepsmedia.com
@jenna_bagcal
A Queens lawmaker is organizing an urgent-need blood
drive in response to country’s national blood shortage.
Next month, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein will host
the Ninth Annual Summer Blood Drive in collaboration
with the New York Blood Center. Th e event takes place at
Th e Bay Terrace shopping center at 212-51 26th Ave. (formerly
American Eagle Outfi tters) on Th ursday, Aug. 5, from
1 to 7 p.m.
“Th e New York Blood Center recently announced an urgent
need for blood donations,” Braunstein said. “Donating blood
is safe and saves up to three lives. I hope that you will take
the time to share this lifesaving gift at our drive on Aug. 5.”
Th ose who donate blood must wear a mask or face covering
and be symptom-free for at least 14 days if recovering
from COVID-19. Th ose who test positive for COVID,
have experienced COVID-related symptoms in the last 14
days or are on self-quarantine restrictions will not be eligible
to donate.
As a thank you, donors will receive a free, limited edition
New York Mets T-shirt and the New York Blood
Center will also enter participants into a sweepstakes to
win six tickets to a Mets game.
Donation appointments are encouraged to comply with
social distancing guidelines. To make an appointment, visit
tinyurl.com/BraunsteinDrive2021 or contact Braunstein’s
offi ce by phone at 718-357-3588 or by email at braunsteine@
nyassembly.gov.
For medical questions concerning blood donations, call
800-688-0900.
/BraunsteinDrive2021
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