By Abigail Goldring, Media Relations Staff

Alex Levi, a principal architect in the Port Authority’s Engineering Department, has always been an avid bicyclist, cycling 30 minutes down the West Side Hudson River Greenway to his office at 4 World Trade Center twice a day, every day, rain, snow, or shine.

On the other side of the river, Michelle Mayer, a supervising business analyst in the Operations Services Department, was committed to her daily routine of biking 12 minutes downhill from her Jersey City neighborhood to her office at the Port Authority Technical Center (PATC) before taking the 18-minute uphill trip back home after work.

But with both state’s executive orders for nonessential employees requiring them to work from home, Levi and Mayer have been missing their daily rides – times when they could just clear their heads and concentrate only on the open roads ahead of them.

As offices open back up in new phases of New York’s and New Jersey’s recoveries, cycling is becoming one of the few ways to get to and from work safely while also socially distancing during the pandemic. Bike sales are soaring as more people in urban areas seek alternatives to public transit without car ownership.

The Port Authority is uniquely prepared for a bike-friendly workforce, from just recently updating its bicycle policy, to steadily updating its facilities with bike access and amenities, to providing incentives for its own employees.

Earlier in 2020, the agency opened the Goethals Bridge’s first-ever shared use path for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Bayonne Bridge and the George Washington Bridge already have shared use paths that provide free access to pedestrians and cyclists alike. Last summer, Journal Square welcomed the Port Authority’s first Oonee Pod, a Brooklyn-based secure bike storage facility. And in 2019, discounted bike-share memberships became available for Port Authority employees.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners adopted the agency’s first bicycle policy in 2010. Since then, a group of 50 employees known as the Bicycle Working Group has carried out the ambitious goals laid out in the Bicycle Master Plan, most recently updated in 2017 to reflect an upward trend across the region and the continued renovation of the World Trade Center site. Now, that trend is undeniable.

Senior Economic Analyst Cristina Ruiz plans to bike almost everywhere as emergency orders are lifted. “Once we open up, I plan to use bicycling as a primary mode for transportation for as many things as possible, from commuting to groceries, and leisure,” she said.

Matt Walker, a principal engineer, can’t make the whole journey on bicycle from his home in Long Island. But when he starts commuting again, he won’t miss a beat picking up his old routine riding from Penn Station to 4 World Trade. “Nothing beats getting out into the open air after a long train ride,” he said.

Last year, Port Authority employees biked more than 11,000 miles on CitiBikes, reducing over 9,000 pounds of carbon emissions. With today’s health and safety concerns, biking may offer commuters a bit of relief. Not to mention, it’s good for the environment and people’s health.

Kirsten Jones, co-chair of the Bicycle Working Group and a customer service supervisor at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, is a big believer in the benefits of biking. “When more people ride bicycles, it creates a more livable place for everyone. There is less congestion, cleaner air, safer streets, fewer sick days, longer life expectancy, a better economy, and less wear and tear on the roads,” she said.

By Abigail Goldring, Media Relations Staff

Suraiya Nawaz has always been eager to learn about aviation and to start on a career path that would allow her to turn her passion into reality.

Now, that dream is about to take flight. Nawaz is one of five outstanding Queens high school seniors awarded full scholarships to Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, complete with the promise of a full-time job with the Port Authority upon graduation. The awards were made possible by a unique local partnership among the Port Authority, Vaughn College, and LaGuardia Airport’s redevelopment program.

“I’ve always wanted to work with planes, and I know how rare it is for students to have guaranteed jobs before they even start their first year of college,” said Nawaz, who lives in East Elmhurst. “This scholarship is a big help for me and my family financially. I feel very grateful to have been selected.”

The other students receiving scholarships are: Kristian Nieves and Alvin King from East Elmhurst, Anton DeGuzman from Corona, and Chasisty Melo from Astoria. The program is in its second year, building on the successes of the inaugural scholarship year in which all six scholarship winners from last year are interning remotely this summer – due to COVID-19 – with the Port Authority Aviation Department, the LaGuardia General Manager’s Office, and the LaGuardia Redevelopment program.

“The scholarship program awarded through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a critical steppingstone for young researchers in communities of color interested in the city’s scientific space. The importance of more diversity in the STEM field cannot be overstated,” said NYS Assemblyman and Speaker Pro Tempore Jeff Aubry, who represents the district. “Providing students access to reality-based, high impact technological work makes science more real, relevant and doable. And, in many cases awards a student with the financial stability and pathway to college.”

Chasisty Melo will be pursuing a degree in Mechatronic Engineering, a highly specialized major that only a handful of schools across the U.S. offer. With an advanced background in electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, she hopes to develop and improve aviation systems. “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue a career that I am passionate about,” she said. “By removing the financial burden of tuition, I will be able to dedicate all my time to my education and development. This scholarship has made it financially possible for me to attend college.”

This year, applications increased to 46, including 24 from areas designated as priority communities for their proximity to LaGuardia Airport: East Elmhurst, Astoria, and Corona.

DeGuzman also is pursuing a degree in Mechatronic Engineering starting this fall. He is determined to complete the challenging coursework since it means that he’ll be able to work on important projects in the future that help make people’s lives easier.

“When this scholarship comes up in a conversation, I always say how thankful I am for the financial assistance and working opportunities that it provides,” he said. “Like I always do, I will give the next several years my best effort, never giving up along the way.”

By Alana Calmi, Media Relations Staff

Nearly four years since the start of construction, the main Arrivals and Departure Hall at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B has opened its doors to passengers.

Travelers will be greeted with a roomy, 850,000-square-foot, four-story Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall providing the 21st-century airport experience New York deserves. They  will find four check-in islands with an additional 75 individual check-in kiosks for self-service options.

The terminal offers many local food and beverage concessions in a New York-inspired shopping district. The centralized food hall features 17 retail, food, and beverage shops, including local city favorites like Eli Zabar, Junior’s Cheesecake, and Think Coffee. With 95 percent of concessions post-security, travelers can take their time getting to the gate once through the security checkpoint.

 “Today’s opening should be a shining symbol of the region’s potential for a strong economic recovery with the vitality of New York before COVID-19,” Executive Director Rick Cotton said during Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

The spectacular new facility is the answer to traveling concerns of so many passengers.

Worried about getting through TSA with time to spare? Don’t sweat it. Terminal B is now home to 16 security screening lanes — three times the space of the old security checkpoints. The dynamic signage in the TSA queue provides passenger wait times and allows queue zones to be adjusted based on passenger demand.

Need a restroom? There are now 17 spacious, touch-free restrooms, with free-touch sinks and hand dryers, as well as hand-sanitizing stations strategically placed throughout the terminal, combined creates greater opportunities for social distancing when compared to the old Terminal B.

The new hall also showcases permanent public art installations curated by the Public Art Fund, enhancing the passenger experience and underscoring New York’s global position as a beacon for arts and culture. Installations were done by artists Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens, and Sarah Sze.

There are behind-the-scene enhancements, too— more than 3.2 miles of conveyer belt was constructed to sort and move 3,250 bags per hour. Checked baggage is transported through the new baggage handling and screening system. The first-of-its- kind “Natural Feature Navigation” system uses artificial intelligence to guide mobile inspection tables safely through the baggage screening facility. Previous models used floor tracks, magnetic tape, or wire guides, but this new system can adapt as LGA accommodates the next generation of air travel.

But what about all that traffic? Access in and out of LaGuardia Airport will be smoother and less frustrating than before. The redevelopment significantly improved traffic flow by eliminating 19  of 22 on-airport traffic lights, with 9.2 miles of new roadways and 24 new bridges. Airside traffic will also be reduced with 50 percent more taxiway space.

Additionally, two first-ever skybridges spanning active aircraft taxi lanes connect passengers from the new terminal to the new gates in its two concourses. As travelers walk over the skybridge, they can admire planes moving about the tarmac and under the skybridge.

Courtney Quinn and Mike Narvarez were two of the first passengers to deplane the first arriving flight at the new Terminal B. They live in Washington, D.C. but were familiar with the old, decrepit Terminal B. The original Terminal B opened on April 17, 1964 and was revered at the time as a Gateway to America.

“The airport looks great, we’re super impressed,” Quinn said. “There aren’t many domestic terminals of this size, and the interior aesthetic is striking.” Added Narvarez: “It’s a big upgrade, truly spectacular sight to see. And I’m loving the subway tile mosaic on the wall.”