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New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport has been under major construction for 2 years so far. The massive undertaking has included and will continue to include:

• $9.5 billion for Terminal 1
• $1.5 billion Terminal 4 for Delta (this one is complete)
• $4.2 billion for Terminal 6, with investors like JetBlue.
• $425 million Terminal 8 for American Airlines (this one is also complete)

“It will transform what has been routinely rated one of nation’s worst airports, into what will become one of the world’s finest, when we are done,” said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

However between continued construction on top of a surge in airline passengers during the summer months, traveling to and from JFK by car is going to be a nightmare.

“We are completely rebuilding JFK Airport, so the construction impact on the roads and on traffic is going to be significant,” said Cotton.

Their advice

The Port Authority does have advice for travelers:

• take mass transit to get to JFK
• plan for extra travel time (they suggest 15 to 30 minutes during peak periods
• use remote lots, and then take the free AirTrain

The Port Authority is also expanding its Airport Operations Center team so it can monitor and respond to traffic conditions and incidents in real time. But the Port Authority still admits JFK is going to be a mess.

“When coming to JFK this summer leave extra time,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We apologize in advance.”

How bad is it?

It’s so bad that the Port Authority is considering offering discounted (and possibly even free!) AirTrain rides this summer (the AirTrain is $8.50 per person from Jamaica and Howard Beach stations). However, although everything is still on the table, no decision has yet been made.

“We are gonna consider every option,” said Cotton.

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