TRENTON – Senator Joseph Coniglio, D-Bergen, today said he is pleased the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey wants to purchase Stewart Airport in New York to help alleviate congestion around Teterboro Airport.
“I’ve been urging the Port Authority to buy that (Stewart) airport for years,” said Senator Coniglio. “I’ve been talking to Mr. (Port Authority Chairman Anthony R.) Coscia about moving forward with that project so I’m very pleased they are taking action.”
Senator Coniglio, a leading advocate for reducing the noise levels and congestion around Teterboro, said he believes upgrading Stewart will “provide an attractive alternative to the three metropolitan airports for people north of here (metropolitan area) and also lure private planes from jamming up Teterboro.”
The Democratic lawmaker said he would sign on to co-sponsor legislation needed to change the charter of the Port Authority so it can expand its operations beyond a 25-mile radius from the Statue of Liberty. Both New York and New Jersey are required to adopt identical legislation to change the Port Authority’s charter.