Delta Taxi Stack Garage

As part of the comprehensive “A Whole New LaGuardia” modernization program, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with Delta Airlines, has developed the Delta Taxi Stack. This new system is designed to streamline taxi service at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), significantly reducing terminal traffic and enhancing the overall traveler experience.

Taxi Stack Features

The Delta Taxi Stack efficiently manages 321 vehicles—124 for arrivals and 187 for departures. It includes a designated queue-up garage exclusively for taxis, which allows ride-sharing services and personal vehicles to operate smoothly around the terminals. An adjacent service tower offers amenities for taxi drivers, including breakrooms, restrooms, and meditation spaces. Walker Consultants acted as the Engineer of Record for this project, providing expertise in structural engineering, functional and architectural design, and PARCS.

Design and Construction Challenges

The project posed unique challenges, including designing between two active airport roadways and adhering to a fast-track delivery schedule. Despite site constraints that frequently necessitated on-the-spot redesigns, we leveraged our extensive experience with LaGuardia’s environment, previously demonstrated in our East Parking Garage project, to efficiently manage the design process. This adaptability was crucial when latent construction conditions surfaced, requiring immediate design adjustments to keep the project on schedule.

Solutions and Cost Savings

Walker’s proactive redesign of the service tower exemplifies our adaptability. Initially planned with all facilities on the flood-prone first floor, the design was revised to place these on the second floor, eliminating the need for expensive flood-proofing measures. This strategic decision not only mitigated potential water damage but also resulted in significant cost savings for both the Port Authority and Delta Airlines.

Quality Assurance and Control

Maintaining high standards of quality, our rigorous QAQC process involved drafting designs in our New York office and reviewing them through multiple levels of project staff. This approach facilitated the application of both project-specific insights and senior engineering oversight. After internal reviews, the designs underwent further evaluation by Burns & McDonnell and the Port Authority, supporting compliance and excellence in execution.