NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday gave the green light on a controversial plan to build a monorail train between LaGuardia Airport and eastern Queens.
The FAA’s decision means the AirTrain project, which is estimated to cost around $2 billion, can now pursue federal funding.
Even with the decision, however, the project is likely to still face large opposition from locals.
“We expect the $2 billion AirTrain to be a boondoggle, it already has been,” said New York State Sen. Jessica Ramos.
She represents the East Elmhurst neighborhood and notes that residents in the area are strongly against building a new monorail through their home.
“There’s just not enough due process here in order to make sure that our community is heard,” she said.
The AirTrain project is being overseen by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the link would connect the airport to the 7 line, with a stop near Citi Field.
While supporters of the plan are excited to have direct rail link to LaGuardia Airport for the first time, Ramos says the AirTrain’s route is not thought out and will likely be slower than driving.
Though, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a statement, says the project is an investment in New York’s future.
“The new LaGuardia Airport—the first new airport in the United States in over 25 years and the front door to New York—deserves a reliable, efficient, and affordable transit connector worthy of its destination.
With the Federal Aviation Administration's approval today of the LaGuardia AirTrain, that's exactly what New Yorkers will get,” said Cuomo. “This is the culmination of years of advocacy by this administration and a key moment in our efforts to rebuild New York's infrastructure for the future.”
Tom Grech, with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, agrees and says the vast majority of public comments have actually favored the project.
“This is an area where they'd be no condemnation. There's no businesses or homes being taken down. It's going to go along the right of way, close to Grand Central Parkway,” he said.
Grech expects construction to start this fall.