LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building Modernization

LGA Central Terminal Modernization

DY Consultants participated in the design efforts associated with the modernization of the Central Terminal Building at the LaGuardia Airport.  This improvement was estimated at $3B, based upon the Phase 1 Planning studies.  The overall plan involved the construction of a new terminal, including the head house, the construction/modernization of a new structural parking garage, roadways, a central chiller and refrigeration plant (CHRP), a new substation and other ancillary facilities.  The new 38 gate terminal was designed to handle approximately 17.5 million annual air passengers (MAAP) projected by 2025.  The intent of this program was to; 1) increase revenues by modernizing the facilities, 2) provide efficient operations, 3) increase airside flexibility, 4) provide balanced capacity of airside, terminal and landside structures and 5) improve terminal and concourse amenities.

DY Consultants was tasked to provide airport planning services related to the configuration of the taxiway system that services runway 4-22 and 13-31.  Our planners provided alternatives toward the resolution of an FAA Modification of Standard (MOS) with regard to the deficiencies in taxiway separations between taxiway A and taxiway B.  These alternatives involved the realignment of these taxiways to enhance safety on the airfield.

DY was engaged in the Phase II Planning study and the Stage I Conceptual Design portion of the project.  DY played an important role in providing design services related to the electrical vault that services the airfield visual aids and navigation aids.  The East Lighting Vault (ELV) reconfiguration involved the demolition of the existing vault, the rerouting of airfield cabling to the new vault location, the construction of the new vault and to provide an emergency generator system for the airfield.  Major components to this work included:

  • Meeting both present and future needs of the airfield
  • Providing a computerized airfield lighting control system
  • Accommodating 5KV Primary Feeders from the airfield
  • Utilizing 480V Distribution Panel
  • Providing Automatic Transfer Switch
  • Layout and Sizing of Regulators and Digitrac Units
  • Providing for Emergency Power as required by FAA Part 139 Requirements

During this preliminary stage of design, DY determined space requirements for the equipment associated with the vault, based upon electrical codes.  This effort was important to the overall planning of the CTB Modernization plan.  In addition, functional plans, phasing and scheduling plans, construction cost estimates and a Basis of Design Report were be provided as the deliverables during this stage of the design.  An important component of this portion of the project was to provide a means to eliminate any interruption of power to the airside lighting system.  Due to activity at LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the nation, any interruption of service would significantly impact air traffic on a local level as well as on a national level.  Such an impact will have a major financial impact upon its users.  As an airport specialist, DY was very sensitive to this condition and understood the significance of this impact.

Years