If it weren’t for the tree-lined street, Frank Taylor would be able to see LaGuardia Airport from his front steps. 

But Taylor says he’s well aware of the proximity — he’s been dealing with the construction related to the airport expansion for five years.


What You Need To Know

  • The Federal Aviation Administration gave a controversial plan to bring an AirTrain to LaGuardia the green light Tuesday

  • Residents who live in nearby East Elmhurst say they've been dealing with construction from the LaGuardia Airport expansion for five years

  • They say the AirTrain construction will be even closer to their homes

  • The Port Authority says the plan will create thousands of jobs and remove millions of cars from the roadways each year

We first spoke to Taylor and his neighbors two years ago. They said vibrations from the pile-driving at the airport cracked their homes' foundations. Now, that the Federal Aviation Administration has given a controversial plan to bring an AirTrain to LaGuardia the green light — Taylor says the homeowners will continue to suffer. 

“So this AirTrain is actually coming closer than any of those pilings that destroyed our houses then," said Taylor, the president of the Ditmars Blvd. Block Association. "So they’re going to do three or four years of this, what’s going to be left of our houses?"

The $2.1 billion project will link LaGuardia airport with the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road at nearby Citi Field.

The Port Authority promises it will give commuters a 30-minute ride to and from Midtown. 

But Taylor says the route which makes travelers head east past the airport— to turn around at Citi Field and head back west towards LaGuardia makes no sense.

“The 7 train, as we know, is over burdened. In fact, it was falling down a year ago or two years ago. You have to get on these trains to go past the airport, to go back to the airport,” said Taylor. “You’re not going to take two or three bags through the subways. Through the trains, make the transfers.”

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the area, says a better investment would serve the people who live in the community — not just those who need to access the airport.

“Look, it’s the wrong investment," said Ramos. "We’re talking about an airport that’s located in an actual neighborhood where people live and have been unserved by public transportation for decades. The right investment is to take $2 billion dollars and be able to perhaps extend the N/W train or find any other alternative that serves the greatest number of New Yorkers."

The FAA has said a subway extension would not be feasible because it would impact car traffic and Amtrak trains near the Hells Gate Bridge. 

In a statement the Port Authority applauded the AirTrain decision. Officials say it will create thousands of jobs and remove millions of cars from the roadway each year.

But Taylor says that’s not the case with the AirTrain to Kennedy Airport. 

“Tell me there’s no traffic on the Van Wyck, you got an AirTrain there,” said Taylor.

Taylor says his civic group plans on filing a lawsuit challenging the plan.

Meantime, the bulk of construction is expected to begin next year.