New York, NY - Airports Getting Makeover

New York, NY - Projects to ease traffic and spruce up the scenery around New York City's airports are taking off.

John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports served more than 33 million passengers in the first half of 2006, and they are on track to see a record of more than 100 million travelers this year when combined with the metro area's other airport, Newark Liberty International Airport in nearby New Jersey.
The trio of airports handle more passengers than any other airport system in North America, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the facilities.

But all that activity means increasingly snarled traffic. The city is spending $25 million to improve access to both Kennedy Airport and the nearby hub for its new AirTrain. The rail link connects to the subway system and commuter trains, enabling riders to travel from the terminal to Manhattan in less than an hour. Other projects include streetscape improvements, like adding more trees and foliage along nearby roads, as well as additional traffic studies around LaGuardia Airport.
The makeover projects account for about $40 million of about $100 million in upgrade money.