Delta Air Lines has broken ground on a $160 million renovation and expansion of its facilities at New York LaGuardia Airport.

The project, which includes a 630-foot connector bridge linking Terminals C and D, a new Delta Sky Club in Terminal C and expanded security lanes in both terminals, comes as Delta creates a new domestic hub at LaGuardia.

The new facilities will offer service to 26 new cities by July 11th.

It represents the largest expansion project at LaGuardia in more than 40 years.

The new bridge will allow Delta customers to walk between terminals behind security, providing easy access to departure and arrival gates and facilitating convenient connecting flights.

Delta has operated out of both terminals since March 25th, when it began expanded service at LaGuardia.

The renovations at LaGuardia will also support 700 new jobs along with additional jobs for construction.

Work is also underway on a $1.2 billion enhancement and expansion of Delta’s facilities at New York John F. Kennedy Airport, where Delta operates an international hub.

“All together, with our expansion projects at JFK and LaGuardia, Delta is investing nearly $1.4 billion in our New York airport facilities,” said Delta chief executive Richard Anderson.

“No other airline is approaching that level of commitment to New York in the next 12 months.”

The expansion includes a new Delta Sky Club in Terminal C that is expected to open this summer.

Additionally the Delta Sky Club in Terminal D will undergo an expansion.

Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, pointed out that “investment in aviation infrastructure is one of the major ways to position the New York metropolitan region for the projected growth in passengers in the coming decades”.

He added: “We welcome and applaud Delta’s plans to link and improve these important terminals at LaGuardia Airport, as the airline consolidates and expands operations for business and other travelers.

“Combined with its ongoing expansion of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Delta is helping both our New York airports lay the critical groundwork for the region’s future economic growth.”