Washington – Congressman Maurice Hinchey invited officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to his Washington, DC office to talk about the agency’s plans to take over Stewart Airport at Newburgh. And the lawmaker came away from the session saying they were on the same page.

Hinchey said while the airport will grow with new jobs and increased economic development, it must be balanced growth.

“We have to make sure that it is developed in a way that is going to be consistent with the general needs of the area, that it will be environmentally sound and that the impact of the airport will be minimal on people in the general area,” he said. “We want to make sure that the airport conforms with the needs of the communities that are adjacent to Stewart and that it is run in a way that is consistent with the needs of those communities.”

On concern to Hinchey is surface transportation to the airport. The Drury Lane entrance and the I-84/Thruway direct connection projects are both under way. He is also anxious to advance a rail link to the airport.