Central ground transportation hub unveiled at LI MacArthur

Officials on Thursday unveiled a new $8.4 million center that will centralize all ground transportation at Long Island MacArthur Airport.

The unveiling comes more than a year after crews broke ground for the first major transportation improvement project in more than 20 years at the Islip Town-owned airport.  An existing building was renovated to add car rental counters, a covered pedestrian walkway and lounge areas. 

Rental cars, taxi stands, buses, ride-hailing services, hotel courtesy shuttles and Long Island Rail Road Station transportation will all be in the same hub beginning April 6. The upgrade will make transit easier for travelers, officials said.

The updated 12,000-square-foot center follows recent changes at the Ronkonkoma airport, including the addition of new airline Breeze Airways and expanded flights for Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter told Newsday the recent changes are “a visible sign that we’ve been heading in the right direction.”

More changes are to come, including a revamp of the main terminal, which hasn’t been changed in 30 years, airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken told Newsday. The design and feel of the terminal will be similar to the interior of the transportation center, which includes a neutral look that pays homage to Long Island's sandy beaches, grains and wood, she said. 

The project was funded in part by a New York State Aviation Grant of $800,000 and an Empire State Development Grant of $650,000, officials said, and no taxpayer dollars were used. Additional costs were covered by airport funds. 

“We’re on the trajectory to really position Long Island MacArthur Airport where it really needs to be,” Carpenter said.

By Brinley Hineman

brinley.hineman@newsday.com

Brinley Hineman covers the Town of Hempstead and the City of Long Beach for Newsday. She previously was a reporter in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a West Virginia native.