Governor Cuomo's plan to bring AirTrain service to LaGuardia Airport has taken a step forward.

The Port Authority has chosen a contractor to conduct preliminary engineering and planning for the project. Parsons Brinckerhoff will develop plans for a new AirTrain station next to the Long Island Rail Road and 7 Train subway line at Willets Point, along with two stations at LaGuardia's new terminals, and right-of-way for the train route.

Plans call for a 1.5 mile long line between Willets Point and the airport.  The elevated tracks would run alongside the Grand Central Parkway, simliar to the AirTrain that links the Jamaica and Howard Beach subway stops to JFK.

It's all part of a major overhaul underway at LaGuardia. The 4 billion dollar project is expected to be finished in 2021.