EPA press release on WTC cleaning hotline launch, June 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document mproved access to the region's airports and Long Island is critical to the continued competitive- rona ef se kink Cry an he lens en eomie taly me Aeiuten, Par ert turies, New York has been a leader in international commerce, and as the global economy con- tinues to develop, Lower Manhattan's transportation infrastructure must keep pace. Airports are now key components in the global economy both for trading goods and for professional services transactions. Governor Pataki's 1996 Master Links strategy and Mayor Bloomberg's Vision have pre- viously identified airport access as New York City's highest trans- portation priority and the most important initiative in preserving the city's role as the premiere commercial center in the global economy. Equally important investments to access John F KEY GOALS FOR AIRPORDANI LONG ISLAND COMMUTER ACCESS Kennedy International Airport can be leveraged to provide access for Long Island, one of the area's fastest growing regions and a critical labor pool. Analysis shows that improved Long Island commuter access has the potential to double the working age population living within a 60-minute commuting distance from Lower Manhattan within 20-25 years.! An effective airport and Long Island acceis rustem shoula provide. Travel times that arersuperior to automobiles and taxis or current mass transit service Reliable, regular, and inexpen sive service Air transport is playing an increasingly critical role in facilitating international business. By enabling the global movement not only of products, but also of people, air transport brings "business managers together, cnabling them to build the links, communica- tions and personal relationships necessary to achieve ... a [high] level of international business activity." Indeed, businesses and hotels that generate and/or attract air travelers have a strong interest in continuous improvements in airport access. They will tend to locate in places where access to the airports is most con- venient. Therefore, cities that are able to make easy, reliable con- nections between airports and centers of business have major competitive advantages over those cities that are unable to make such connections. A high level of comfort and convemience AoAvailable, comfortable seats A trip with minimal or no transters Clear wayfinding and signage with readily available information For Airport Access • Capacity to check baggage and/or room for storing luggage on vehieles Separation from commuter crowding, especially during weekday rush hours Preferably a direct, one-seat To maintain New York's position as a world leader, the trip to and ride to the airport from airports must be made friendlier, faster, and more efficient. Por Lang Island Access The key is to create such an attractive new system to the airports •Convenient station location that it will successfully entice an abundance of new users. The geo- near places of work graphic location and transit capacity of Lower Manhattan offers an • Connections to LIRR service and other transit opportunity to create these types of connections to all three major lifies airports in the region and, in particular, a quick, reliable, direct con- nection to JFK International Airport, the region's primary international gateway. Chapter 2: Airport and Long Island Commuter Access 53 NYC-WTC_000143109