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LaGuardia AirTrain Proposed


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 23 October 2014 - 02:30 PM

Second Avenue Sagas, 10/21/14:

Biden, Cuomo discuss airport future but what of train access?


A few months ago, Vice President Joe Biden drew some heat when he unfavorably compared Laguardia to third world airports. Considering that Laguardia has terminal buildings that are, to some degree or other, air conditioned, it was an unfair comparison with a bit of hyperbole, but Biden’s criticism rang familiar. Traveling to and from Laguardia is not exactly a pleasant experience, and for millions who see it as their entry point to New York City, it is not a point of pride for New Yorkers.


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Certainly I agree that among JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia Airports, the latter is the least appealing because of its lack of rail access. And I highly favor an extension beyond Astoria of the N line. It's the nearest transit line that already dead ends in the area, so the extension is most logical. Although I think the line between Astoria Blvd. and Ditmars Blvd. would have to be truncated so the line could run over the Grand Central Parkway right-of-way (much like AirTrain runs above the Van Wyck Expressway).

A branch off the 7 line has also been suggested if you check back through our post history. But having a branch rather than an extension opens up new debate on how to best serve the old endpoint (in this case Main Street-Flushing) and the new branch endpoint at the airport, which would require frequent service given its function. The thought in the piece above about LIRR going to LaGuardia makes the least sense. A larger footprint would be required to bring commuter train tracks to the airport. Newark and JFK are not directly served by commuter rail -- only by AirTrain (monorail and advanced light rail respectively) between airport and the nearest stations. If LIRR were to be a player in travel to LaGuardia, then it would have to be via another AirTrain type connection. Extension of the existing JFK AirTrain beyond Jamaica would be too far east and thus require too much new construction. A separate AirTrain would have to run from perhaps Woodside or a potential new station in the Sunnyside Yard area and run adjacent to the Amtrak right-of-way and then across a park to the Grand Central Parkway, over which it would only have to run a few blocks before coming to airport property.


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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 January 2015 - 10:50 AM

Times Warner Cable, 1/20:
 

Cuomo Proposes Building AirTrain to LGA

 

A day before he delivers his State of the State address, Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled plans this morning for an AirTrain line to LaGuardia Airport.

 

The proposal is part of a call for more investment in the region's infrastructure that the governor made during a speech before the Association for a Better New York.

 

Cuomo says he wants an additional mile-and-a-half of track to create a rail link between LaGuardia Airport and Willets Point in Queens. Commuters would be able to connect to the new train from the 7 train in the subway system and the Long Island Rail Road.

 

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#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 January 2015 - 10:52 AM

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey news release, 1/20:

 

STATEMENT FROM PORT AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PATRICK J. FOYE AND MTA CHAIRMAN AND CEO THOMAS F. PRENDERGAST

 

Governor Cuomo has offered a clear vision and strong call for the transportation infrastructure that is absolutely essential for the New York region to compete successfully in the global economy. The Port Authority and the MTA are working closely to establish the scope, schedule and management of the LaGuardia AirTrain, just as they worked closely to create the successful JFK AirTrain. We will build this project in a cost-effective way that minimizes disruptions to nearby communities as well as airport operations, and we can get it done within five years of obtaining all necessary approvals. Both our organizations recognize the importance of these infrastructure projects and congratulate the Governor on his foresight.



#4 KevinKorell

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Posted 21 January 2015 - 01:24 PM

At least we are seeing a solid plan for once.   Willets Point is adjacent to CitiField, which might be a concern to airport bound travelers around the times that stadium events are happening.  And unlike Jamaica hosting the AirTrain station with almost every LIRR line converging there, Willets Point is on the Port Washington Line, the only LIRR line that does NOT go through Jamaica.  So for LIRR passengers the station will be good for those coming from or going to Penn Station or Woodside, Queens, but not for the rest of the system, which will require a change of trains at Woodside -- and not all trains on the other lines stop there.  This also makes an airport to airport transfer inconvenient too, since somebody using AirTrain JFK would have to take an LIRR local train from Jamaica to Woodside, a Port Washington LIRR train from Woodside to Willets Point, and then AirTrain LGA.  That comes out to a 4-seat ride, not too great with luggage.



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#5 KevinKorell

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Posted 21 January 2015 - 07:13 PM

Second Avenue Sagas, 1/20/15:

Out of nowhere, Cuomo announces an AirTrain to Laguardia


After months of saying very little of anything while campaigning for a second term and hardly anything about transit for four years while governing, Andrew Cuomo stunned New Yorkers by announcing plans to build an AirTrain from the 7 train and LIRR station at Willets Point to Laguardia Airport. Cuomo, who has made modernizing New York’s struggling airports, said that the rail connection will cost $450 million and could be up and running within five years of the start of construction.


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Kevin Korell


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#6 KevinKorell

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Posted 25 January 2015 - 01:20 PM

CBS New York, 1/25/15:


 

LaGuardia Travelers Back Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Rail Link Plan

 

 

 Tom Fiore knows what it’s like to sit in a taxi for as long as two agonizing hours, over bridges or through a tunnel, to travel a mere eight miles from Midtown Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.

 

The salesman who makes that trek about twice a month is among legions of travelers applauding what they see as a long overdue proposal from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo: to build a rail link connecting the city to LaGuardia.

This story



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#7 KevinKorell

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Posted 30 January 2015 - 12:50 PM

Second Avenue Sagas,  1/29/15:


A postmortem (for now) on Cuomo’s LaGuardia AirTrain plan

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to shut the subway system on Monday night wasn’t the most surprising transit development coming from the governor’s office this past week. Prior to this week’s snow brouhaha,

 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s other idea — an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport — dominated the transit press coverage. As you’ll recall, seemingly out of nowhere, Cuomo announced a plan to build an AirTrain for $450 million from Willets Point to LaGuardia via the Grand Central Parkway. In theory, improving rail access to LaGuardia is a great idea that needs a champion; in practice, Cuomo’s idea isn’t one we should rush to embrace by any means.

 

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#8 KevinKorell

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Posted 06 August 2015 - 12:55 AM

Second Avenue Sagas, 8/5/15:


On the flawed LaGuardia AirTrain proposal and Astoria’s N train

 

Amongst certain corners of the Internet, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s LaGuardia Airport replacement plan is generating some mix of trepidation and excitement. Writing in New York Magazine, Justin Davidson called the plan flawed and vital, though he highlighted more of the former and not enough of the latter to make a convincing case, and other New York voices have generally praised the Governor’s plan for addressing the perceived problems with the airport. Still, one part of the plan — the Willets Point AirTrain — shouldn’t get a pass.

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#9 KevinKorell

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Posted 15 June 2016 - 10:00 AM

Second Avenue Sagas, 6/15/16:

Thoughts on Cuomo’s Laguardia AirTrain vaporware


Tuesday dawned with some odd news: An unsigned New York 1 reported alleged that Gov. Andrew Cuomo was gathering officials and dignitaries in Queens to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Laguardia AirTrain. This did not make sense. The AirTrain plan is still half-formed with no firm cost estimate or any sort of plan. Cuomo wants to build a leg from the Willets Point subway/LIRR stop to Laguardia via the Grand Central Parkway because there are no NIMBYs to upset, but that’s about all we know.

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#10 KevinKorell

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Posted 11 February 2017 - 09:21 PM

AM New York, 2/7/17:

 


 

LaGuardia AirTrain planning begins with request for proposals

 

 

Planning for an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport has commenced.

 

The Port Authority on Monday announced it has issued a request for proposals for preliminary engineering and planning work for a new AirTrain connection to LaGuardia from Willets Point.

​Update



Kevin Korell


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