Queens on the Move: More Transit Options for the Boro
A Message from Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Thomas Grech
This summer has flown (no pun intended!) by. One of the hottest topics over the past few months has been the issue of transportation. From ferry launches to groundbreaking ceremonies at LGA and JFK, Queens has been making headline news.
Astoria Ferry Launch
Tuesday, August 29, marked the launch of NYC Ferry’s Astoria route, which makes stops in Long Island City, Roosevelt Island, 34th Street and Wall Street. The expansion of ferry service, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2015, aims to make Manhattan more accessible to those who felt it was out of reach. The trip from Astoria to Wall Street is approximately 47 minutes.
The ferry is located at 3-10 Astoria Boulevard in Hallets Cove. Price is the same as a one-way MetroCard.
More Citi Bike Stations Coming to Queens
Fifty-nine Citi Bike stations will be up and running in Queens in the next few months. Astoria will be the second Queens neighborhood after Long Island City to feature the bike share program.
The city has not released an exact date for the implementation, but has stated they plan to roll out the program by the end of the summer, most likely in September or October.
LGA AirTrain
The proposed AirTrain station at Willets Point would connect to the 7 line and a new Long Island Railroad station, as well as two new stations within the airport’s terminals.
According to the RFP, providing this connection would allow passengers to get from Midtown to LaGuardia in under 30 minutes, and would “be a key part of the modernization and transformation of LaGuardia into a world-class airport.”
Delta’s New $4B Terminal
On Tuesday, August 9, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian broke ground on a $4 billion terminal facility at the new LaGuardia Airport. Delta will contribute $3.4 billion the towards the $4 billion facility while the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will kick in $600 million.
The Delta facility is just one portion of the $8 billion rebuilding of LaGuardia. Under the new plan, LaGuardia Airport will be unified under one roof instead of the current layout which features multiple terminal buildings. The new LaGuardia will be nation’s first new major airport to open for business since Denver International in 1995.
Noteworthy Upcoming Events
November 16 – Health and Wellness Committee Meeting
December 6 – Queens Chamber Annual Building Awards
Please register for these events by visiting our website at www.queenschamber.org.
