Could Interborough Express and AirTrain connect en route to LaGuardia?

There still is not a direct transit line to LaGuardia Airport in New York.

Two New York City rail projects could come together to establish one connection to LaGuardia Airport.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Brooklyn-Queens train line could intersect with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s AirTrain to the airport. The Port Authority is trying to come up with alternatives to the AirTrain after receiving negative feedback from officials. Still, the option is among a group of 14 alternatives. The Port Authority will ask the public to weigh in by hosting two public workshops.

The proposed Interborough Express would use an existing 14-mile rail line between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and western Queens near LaGuardia.

Two of the Port Authority’s alternatives could intersect with the Interborough Express at Jackson Heights. Another possibility is an overlap in Astoria.

Both of the projects did not get off to a great start with original proposals, and at one point the MTA was considering merging the two. Interborough Express plans also are going through a redo where the public will have a chance to provide feedback.

MTA construction official Mike Schiffer said Jackson Heights and western Queens are dense areas, making it difficult to shoehorn new services.

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