New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the groundbreaking of the new $8.4-million intermodal ground transportation facility at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, Suffolk County.
The commuter-focused facility, which is integral to the airport's continued modernization, is supported by an $800,000 grant from the New York State Department of Transportation and a $650,000 Empire State Development grant. The hub, which will improve traveler access to the airport, was identified by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council in its strategic plan as an investment that will enhance the region's competitiveness.
"New York is continuing to rebuild and revitalize its infrastructure in the face of a long drought of federal support, and that commitment means moving the state's airports into the 21st century," Gov. Cuomo said. "This new one-stop facility at Long Island MacArthur Airport will give businesses and visitors to the New York City and Long Island regions an improved and streamlined travel experience."
"Today's groundbreaking of a new ground transportation facility at MacArthur Airport represents a new gateway to Long Island," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "Modernizing our regional airports is critical to boosting business and tourism in our unique and diverse New York State regions, and another example of how we're building back better than ever before for the post-pandemic future."
MacArthur Airport will renovate an existing building into a one-stop transportation facility to house all modes of transportation for travel into and out of the airport. This new 12,000-square-foot facility will consolidate the ready and return lots for all rental car facilities into one centralized area and relocate the rental car counters from the baggage claim area of the main terminal. The airport's taxi stand, also currently located in baggage claim, will be moved to the new transportation facility, and the existing Suffolk County bus stop will be moved from the outer lane of the main terminal roadway to a safer location at this new facility. The rental car ready lots and counters, the taxi vendor, the Suffolk County Bus stop and Long Island Rail Road shuttle stop will now be located in one convenient location within walking distance of the entrance and exit of the airport's main terminal building. The completed facility will also include a covered walkway connecting the two points of entry. Travelers will also be able to drop off or pick up their own vehicles that may have been delivered via an auto transport service, which makes several long-haul deliveries of vehicles to Florida.
The groundbreaking at Long Island MacArthur Airport complements an unprecedented direct state investment of more than $316 million over the past five years to reimagine municipal airports statewide, other than those facilities operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The state's investment includes $200 million to modernize airports across Upstate New York, including Greater Rochester International Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Elmira Corning Regional Airport, Plattsburgh International Airport, Ithaca Tompkins International Airport and Albany International Airport. In addition to creating well-paying aeronautical-related jobs, these state-of-the art investments have also incorporated innovation, sustainability and resilience into design, passenger amenities and customer experience enhancements. This funding adds to the $21 billion renewal and modernization of both John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
