Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 242; Flight Crew Total 4738; Flight Crew Type 4738
Confusion; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport
After landing on Runway 31 we exited at taxiway Tango. We told Ground Control we were going to gate. Ground Control instructed us to 'turn left on Bravo; right on Lima; taxi to the gate.' I have a lot of experience operating out of LGA; however; I have not landed there since the new terminal was built. I taxied south on Bravo and I identified taxiway Lima. It was dark and the new terminal is very bright. I made the right turn on Lima and saw gate straight ahead. I taxied toward the gate and suddenly; out of the darkness in front of me I noticed multiple; 2-3 foot tall; UNLIGHTED taxiway edge posts. I immediately stopped the aircraft and was able to make a hard left turn to barely avoid hitting the posts. It immediately became apparent that taxiway Lima is actually on about a 45 degree angle from off of taxiway Bravo vs what I thought was a 90 degree right turn. For whatever reason; there is an UNLIGHTED; 'false island' between Taxiway Lima and the ramp. Due to the conditions of darkness; a very bright new terminal and gate area; and unlighted taxiway edge posts; it was very easy for me to turn right onto taxiway Lima and then focus on taxiing straight ahead to gate right through the 'island.'
Captain reported on night taxi to gate; crew nearly hit unlit taxiway edge posts which are difficult to see due to bright terminal lights at LGA airport.