Ditmars Blvd. Block Association, Guardians of Flushing Bay and Riverkeeper react to Port Authority’s commitment to review AirTrain alternatives
October 13, 2021
Riverkeeper Team
For immediate release: October 13, 2021
Ditmars Blvd. Block Association, Guardians of Flushing Bay and Riverkeeper today issued the following statement regarding Port Authority’s announcement that it would pause action on the AirTrain project at Governor Hochul’s request and conduct a “thorough review of mass transit options to LaGuardia Airport.” Represented by Pace Environmental Law Clinic, the three groups filed a petition in federal court on Sept. 20 alleging the decision to greenlight the AirTrain project along Flushing Bay was based on an unlawfully biased decision-making process that eliminated alternatives from review that likely could have limited the impact on local community members, avoided construction on waterfront parkland and provided a one-fare ride from Manhattan to the airport.
“We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in directing the Port Authority to pause the AirTrain project pending an analysis of transit alternatives. We have long advocated for a credible and transparent review of the AirTrain proposal, and we applaud the Governor for creating the space to perform a meaningful evaluation. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul to select the best transit alternative to serve the region with the least impact on our neighborhoods and environment.”
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