The Board of Commissioners governing the Port Authority of New York-New Jersey approved $2.9 billion to replace Terminal B at LaGuardia (LGA) and $2.3 billion to build a replacement for Terminal A at Newark Liberty International (EWR) last week.
The board also approved a lease with LaGuardia Gateway Partners, under which the company – made up of several industry design, development and equity players – will build, finance, operate and maintain the new Terminal B at LGA. The lease also includes the construction of supporting infrastructure for the airport and a new Central Hall at that airport, all of which was recommended by an advisory panel convened by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The LGA project will take into account several of Gov. Cuomo’s advisory panel’s recommendations, including making the new Central Entry Hall light filled. That facility will connect Terminals B and C, uniting the airport for the first time. Initial plans also will move the terminal closer to the Grand Central Parkway, creating more space for airport taxiways and reducing ground delays.
Gov. Cuomo has been pushing for an overhaul at LGA since the airport was termed “third world” by Vice President Joe Biden.
LGA also will get new roads, utilities, runway improvements and a new parking garage, in addition to more supporting infrastructure.
The vote allocated just over $4 billion to the project, of which $2.9 billion will come directly from the port authority.
At EWR, the multi-phased development includes a new terminal building and parking garage complex, and will add a new access bridge connecting the central terminal roadways to Carson Road, utility relocations, electrical repairs and airside paving.
The authorizations “are a momentous step forward for our airports, for air travelers and for the economic health of the New York-New Jersey region,” says Port Authority Chairman John Degnan. “We’re returning to our core transportation mission with an unprecedented investment in our vital aviation facilities.”
In a statement, the agency says the EWR project is expected to generate $3.3 billion in regional economic activity and eventually create 9,000 jobs and provide $600 million in wages. PANYNJ called the LGA project the largest public-private partnership in the United States. It is expected to generate $1.3 billion in wages and $5.2 billion in regional economic activity.
“Modernizing our aging airport terminals demonstrates the port authority’s commitment to focusing on the region’s transportation infrastructure,” says Scott Rechler, vice chairman of the port authority. “To achieve operating efficiencies, offer our customers the best in world-class service and meet the anticipated rise in passenger demand, it is imperative that the agency continues to make these investments in our airports.”
LaGuardia Gateway Partners is comprised of Vantage Airport Group, Skanska and Meridiam for development and equity investment; Skanska and Walsh Construction as the construction joint venture; HOK and Parsons Brinkerhoff as the design joint venture; and Vantage Airport Group for management of the operations. LGA partners have worked on more than 350 aviation and transportation projects globally and domestically.
The projects are scheduled for completion in 2022.
