JFK Airport will get a $10B, cutting-edge transformation

Another one of New York City’s major transportation hubs just got the thumbs up for a massive overhaul—and this time it’s another dated airport. On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo unveiled plans to transform John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) into a new state-of-the-art facility.

The revamp will introduce an interconnected terminal layout, centralized parking lots, increased flights, new lanes (in both directions) on the chronically congested Van Wyck Expressway, and “state-of-the-art security” that would include facial recognition technology, reports the New York Post.

Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

The Air Train would also reap benefits of the redesigned airport, with service doubling and the number of cars upped from two to four per train. Other changes are slated to include “world class amenities,” expanded taxiways, and increased mass transit to the airport.

JFK's transformation is projected to cost a staggering $10 billion, surpassing LaGuardia Airport’s forthcoming $4 billion renovation. Governor Cuomo stated that the plan to transform JFK is part of a “greater plan for reimagining our crossings and rebuilding our infrastructure in New York.”

In 2015, plans to introduce a few unconventional add-ons at JFK Airport were released, calling for a luxury terminal for pets, named The Ark, along with an expansive 24,000-square-foot farm just outside of Terminal 5 for JetBlue Airways.

A timeline for the project hasn’t been revealed yet.

Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

• Cuomo announces $10B plan to upgrade JFK Airport [New York Post]
• New Looks at LaGuardia Airport's $4B, ‘21st-Century’ Revamp [Curbed]
• JFK's Pet Terminal Will Feature Horse Showers, 'Poo Chute' [Curbed]
• JFK Airport Sprouts an Urban Farm [Curbed]

Watch: The historic TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport