New York should make Stewart International Airport an intermodal hub after the city’s major airport operator takes it over, a state offi cial said. Developing“some type of transit to balanceout roadway access” would position theairport 55 miles north of New York forhealthy growth and long-term sustainability,state Transportation CommissionerAstrid Glynn said.

Her department has begun a study into the feasibility of constructing a rail link to Stewart from an existing suburban train station, giving passengers an express train trip between the airport and the city or Newark Liberty International Airport. In addition, construction of a direct route to the airport from two nearby interstate highways isexpected to be completed next year.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to take over the 2,400-acre airport in Newburgh, N.Y., in November and develop it to reduce congestion at Newark, LaGuardia andKennedy International airports.

New York’s transportation department wants to make sure Stewart develops“a multi-modal context” to reducedependence on the automobile andincrease use of public transportation,Glynn said.