LaGuardia becomes world’s first airport with dual airbridges
Share
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity managing and redeveloping LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, has announced the opening of the second pedestrian skybridge, making the New York gateway the first airport in the world with dual skybridges.
Spanning 482 feet the western skybridge is the final piece of the interior of the Terminal B facility to debut and is the last major construction milestone in the project.
According to LGP – which comprises Vantage Airport Group, Skanska and Meridiam – the Terminal B redevelopment is now over 90% complete and will reach substantial completion later this year, on time and on budget.
Connecting the western concourse to the Arrivals & Departures Hall, the western skybridge is said to offer travellers beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline.
LGP CEO, Frank Scremin, enthused: “With the completion of this final major construction milestone, passengers travelling out of the western concourse now have a direct, seamless journey from the curb to their gate.
“The new Terminal B is a shining example of a 21st Century airport facility focused on passenger experience and what can be accomplished when we all work together.”
Later this year – after demolition of the remaining piece of the original terminal building – aircraft will taxi underneath the skybridge.
In addition, a restaurant complete with an outdoor terrace and Manhattan views is planned for the future. The eastern skybridge, which opened in June 2020, connects the Arrivals & Departures Hall directly to the eastern concourse gates.
The design of the dual skybridges has been critical to the redevelopment. The skybridges allowed LGP to keep the original terminal operational during construction as they were built overtop the old facility.
When the taxiway underneath the western skybridge opens later this year, a much needed two extra miles of taxiway space will be added to the busy airport.
New York governor, Kathy Hochul, said: “The transformation of this airport is a symbol of hope for New Yorkers so they can rest assured that we are moving forward after the hardship of the pandemic to keep projects moving and jobs coming.
“Major projects like this involve the entire community and they should be proud of the connections this terminal will bring about in so many ways. With the completion of the skybridge, too, New Yorkers and visitors alike can enjoy world-class service at LaGuardia Airport.”
While Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, enthused: “From a passenger point of view, the old LaGuardia is no more. We have gone from worst to best, something no one thought was possible when this project began.
“Terminal B creates a top-of-the-line passenger experience and does so in the context of world-class architecture, inspiring public art and notable, iconic, locally inspired concessions.”
George Casey, chair and CEO of Vantage Airport Group, said: “Opening the last public-facing portion of the new Terminal B is a milestone the Vantage team is particularly proud of, as the dual skybridge design illustrates the creative planning, design, and phasing that allowed Terminal B to remain fully operational throughout the entire redevelopment project.
“As an equity investor, lead developer responsible for construction oversight, and manager of the new Terminal B, it’s been an honour to partner with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to deliver world-class facilities befitting New York and to bring to life one of the most innovative and complex airport redevelopment projects in the world.”
The new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal B is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport. With a construction value of $4 billion, the Terminal B project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in American history and the largest in US aviation.
