Aug 5th 2021 | Posted in Transportation by Government Contracting Pipeline

New York – Timelines for the $2.1 billion AirTrain at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are on track with the recent environmental approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

LaGuardia Airport AirTrain rendering

This final step, referred to as the Record of Decision, allows the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to proceed with its proposal to construct a rail system to provide an automated people mover (APM) option for air travelers and employees at LGA, which is the only major commercial New York City area airport without a direct connection to the local rail system.

The Port Authority has planned the AirTrain to connect LGA to the New York City Transit Subway 7 Line and the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch at Mets-Willets Point. The system will feature passenger walkways connecting to the LGA Central Hall, a parking garage connector, public transportation, and ground transportation facilities.
An above-ground, elevated fixed guideway APM system with three APM stations would connect the airport to the subway and commuter rail. The APM system would include:
  • Passenger walkway systems connecting the APM stations to passenger terminals, on- and off-airport parking garages, public transportation, and ground transportation facilities.
  • Connections to the Airport Central Hall, Airport parking garage connector, and existing subway and LIRR stations, to support the APM walkway system connections.
  • APM operations, maintenance, and storage facility.
  • Three traction power substations to provide electrical power to the APM system.
Port officials anticipate awarding a design-build-operate-maintain contract in 2022 to the AirTrain developer. The APM system is expected to be fully operational in December 2025.