The MTA held hearings last spring on two proposals (see MTR 216) to route the N subway line to LaGuardia Airport. The results were vows by Astoria and Woodside residents to fight against any airport access. In response to the opposition, the MTA this week presented it original ideas plus 15 new alignments suggested by community organizations.

Although a few were outlandish - including a tunnel around Queens from the 59th Street Bridge to the airport - some warranted a closer look. Two options, for instance, would route either the 7 line or the Port Washington LIRR line around Willets Point into the east side of the terminal.

The MTA will whittle down the list in the next months by eliminating any alignments that do not meet its goals. Since the goals include providing a one-seat ride to lower and midtown Manhattan, options that utilize either people movers or LIRR service will, most likely, be eliminated. A further level of screening will take place between November and March when the authority will begin its EIS on the project.