On February 6, 2017, the PANYNJ announced that it had opened a four-week-long request for proposals to design three AirTrain stations, including the Willets Point station, as well as plan the right of way from Willets Point to the airport.
(meta data) TITLE: LaGuardia AirTrain planning begins with request for proposals | am New York (meta data) AUTHOR: Vincent Barone (meta data) PUBLISHED DATETIME: 2017-02-06T22:14:02-05:00 LATEST PAPER Things To Do EAT & DRINK Real Estate LATEST PAPER 76° Good Morning Things To Do Eat & Drink Secrets of NY Real Estate City Living Staten Island Jim Marguiles Cartoon roundup 76° Good Morning # LaGuardia AirTrain planning begins with request for proposals The LaGuardia Airport AirTrain is one step closer to reality. Above, passengers exit and board the AirTrain to Kennedy Airport at Jamaica station in Queens. Photo Credit: Charles Eckert By Vincent Barone vin.barone@amny.com Updated February 6, 2017 10:14 PM 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. "The millions of passengers who travel through LaGuardia each year deserve a convenient and reliable mass transit option that connects this key transportation hub to the heart of Manhattan," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "We are transforming LaGuardia into a world-class transportation gateway, and an essential piece of the puzzle is ensuring rail mass transit access to the airport. With this action, we're taking the next major step toward making this a reality." The request for proposals closes in four weeks. The selected firm will be responsible for the planning of two AirTrain stations at new terminal buildings of the airport; an AirTrain station at Willets Point; and construction related to the right of way for the train between the airport and Willets Point. The firm will also be responsible for conducting "a detailed ridership analysis and [to] begin analyzing public-private partnerships and other financing options to identify the most advantageous financing plan for the AirTrain," according to a news release from the governor's office. The AirTrain station will complement a revamped No. 7 train station at Willets Point and new Long Island Rail Road station. Cuomo's office expects the AirTrain to be a boon for both city commuters and Long Island drivers, who would be able to connect from the Long Island Rail Road at the Queens transit hub. A trip from Willets Point to the airport would take six minutes, the governor's office estimates. Others fear that the AirTrain is waste of resources, though an exact price tag for the project remains unclear. Port Authority Commissioner Ken Lipper said at a January board meeting that, by his own estimates, the AirTrain, as well as a proposed PATH extension to Newark Airport, wouldn't generate enough riders to warrant the cost. "I'd like to say that the two airport rail projects, one from Newark Airport to World Trade Center, the other from LaGuardia to Willets Point in Queens, are amongst the most ill-conceived projects that I've experienced in government," said Lipper, a Cuomo appointee. Get the Morning Update newsletter Must-read stories to start your day. Sign up By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. By Vincent Barone vin.barone@amny.com ### Comments We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input. ### Most popular New York's next license plate design is up to you Transit workers reject 'insulting' contract offer The Garner story is far from over Landlords created 'truncated, windowless' micro apartments: DOB MTA removing printed bus schedules at all stops ### Top Transit stories New York's next license plate design is up to you 'There's blood on your hands': MTA board members clash Man charged in suspicious device scare at subway station: Cops Another weekend, another round of subway service changes MTA removing printed bus schedules at all stops MTA mismanagement to blame for overtime costs: Report ### News photos & videos Check out NY state's potential license plates Dominique Ansel Bakery celebrates 15 years with limited-edition line of treats Sister of cop who apparently killed self says she asked for help for brother Crowded field of Democrats in 2020 race Attempts 'to get justice,' with the Child Victims Act in force Lawmakers raise awareness for Child Victims Act
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Mets–Willets Point station (IRT Flushing Line)
History.:AirTrain station.
On January 20, 2015, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to build an AirTrain LaGuardia people mover, running along the Grand Central Parkway. This people mover would connect the station to LaGuardia Airport. In January 2017, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released its 10-year capital plan that included AirTrain LaGuardia funding.