Testimony before the Federal Aviation Administration
Regarding the LaGuardia Airport Access Improvement Project
Good evening, I’m Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of the New York Building Congress and co-chair of A Better Way to LGA. The Building Congress is proud to support AirTrain LGA as the best option for improving access to LaGuardia Airport. At a time of unprecedented economic crisis in our city and state, this investment in reliable and sustainable mass transit is needed for our community and our future.
The New York Building Congress has, for almost a hundred years, advocated for investment in infrastructure, pursued job creation and promoted preservation and growth in the New York City area. Our association is made up of over 550 organizations, comprised of more than 250,000 professionals. Through our members, events and committees, we seek to address the critical issues of the building industry and consistently promote the economic and social advancement of our city and its constituents.
As we rebuild the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we must prioritize infrastructure investment, which is proven to transform the city for the better, create good-paying jobs and spur additional economic growth. AirTrain LGA will be an investment in our city and our people.
Currently, getting to and from LaGuardia is an unpredictable and unpleasant process, resulting in frustrated travelers, congested roadways and ultimately, a loss in economic activity. New Yorkers and those visiting our city deserve a 21st century transportation hub that is well connected to urban life.
The construction AirTrain LGA will create good jobs for working class New Yorkers, generate economic opportunities for local businesses and attractions, and help revitalize public spaces. It will get cars off the roads, which will reduce vehicle emissions and improve the quality of life for Queens residents. Once complete, the new rail link will support between six and 10 million passengers a year.
Eighty organizations, including all five borough chambers of commerce, support the project. That level of consensus is truly something to be proud of and is reflective of how necessary AirTrain LGA is for Queens and the city as a whole. On behalf of the Building Congress and A Better Way to LGA, I urge you to act now and approve this project. We must continue building a better New York for all.
https://www.facebook.com/FAA/videos/laguardia-airport-draft-eis-public-hearing-1/1432459956953370/
