Statement by Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton In Advance of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Public Scoping Meetings About the Proposed Laguardia Airtrain Project

“We are pleased that the FAA is commencing public meetings to advance the formal environmental review for the proposed AirTrain LGA project. Today, LaGuardia Airport is the only major airport on the east coast without a mass transit rail link. It is simply indefensible not to be planning to improve access to LGA at a time of severe increases in road congestion, travel times and the impacts of climate change.

“This critical rail link will provide 6-10 million passengers every year with reliable travel times below 30 minutes between midtown Manhattan and the airport -- getting airport travelers off congested roads, benefiting all motorists and the community, and reducing pollution. We look forward to a period of extensive public input and comment as the FAA proceeds with the environmental review.”