LaGuardia AirTrain, Pet Project of Ousted Governor, Paused by Successor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has instructed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to rethink the plan for the $2.1 billion LaGuardia AirTrain, a contentious plan championed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

1 minute read

October 13, 2021, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


LaGuardia Airport

ERIC SALARD / Flickr

The resignation of Andrew Cuomo from his former position as governor of New York might have had a major effect on the future of a pet transportation project: the LaGuardia AirTrain.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval for the project in July 2021, doubts about the project's viability emerged immediately after Cuomo's resignation in August, and now, Gov. Kathy Hochul has pressed pause on the project entirely.

"The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey slammed the brakes on the controversial $2.1 billion LaGuardia AirTrain proposal to review alternatives at the request of Governor Kathy Hochul," reports Kevin Duggan.

Gov. Hochul has instructed the Port Authority to conduct a "thorough review" of alternative transit options for the airport—something transit advocates have been calling for since the proposed project was announced.

The project approved by the FAA in July will be paused in the meantime.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in AMNY

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

New York MTA subway station

Off-Peak is the New On-Peak

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

May 19, 2023 - Curbed

Nighttime view of Tacoma, Washington skyline

Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’

The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.

May 26 - The Urbanist

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26 - U.S. News And World Report

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26 - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.