Gov. Pataki is expected to outline two plans tomorrow that would bring the AirTrain into lower Manhattan, including one that calls for building a new tunnel under the East River, sources said yesterday.
The $6 billion river project would link the AirTrain from Jamaica Station in Queens to the Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn using existing Long Island Rail Road tracks that would connect to a new tunnel into Manhattan.
The plan, which would give passengers a through ride between Manhattan and JFK, would be partially funded with 9/11 rebuilding cash.
The governor is also expected to offer another option that would cost $5.8 billion and bring the AirTrain into Manhattan using the existing Montague Street tunnel in Brooklyn, which is used by the M and R subway lines, sources said.
The AirTrain to Kennedy Airport, which opened in December, has been criticized because riders have to take a subway or LIRR train to Queens in order to connect to it.