Governor Cuomo Announces $25 Million in Rail Infrastructure Improvements Statewide

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $25 million to fund rail and port improvement projects across New York. The grants, awarded through the Governor’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, will support projects that strengthen infrastructure and economic development vital to the movement of goods throughout the state. The grants will leverage an additional $5.4 million in public and private investments to complete the projects.

“These grants will help strengthen New York’s infrastructure, attract new investments, and foster economic growth in communities in every corner of the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “A strong, reliable transportation system is critical to supporting safe, efficient travel for both New Yorkers and visitors, and our investments are key to ensuring the long-term resiliency of infrastructure across the state to support economic growth for generations to come.”

New York awarded $25 million to 19 applicants through a competitive solicitation process. These investments will support track rehabilitation, capacity expansion, railroad bridge repairs, and economic development opportunities. An additional $5.4 million in private and local funding is being leveraged through this State initiative.

New York State Department of Transportation Matthew J. Driscoll said, “Governor Cuomo knows the importance of transportation. Because of his leadership, New York continues to make smart investments that are modernizing rail and port infrastructure, encouraging commerce and making New York businesses more competitive in the global marketplace.”

The list of grant recipients and awards includes:

Capital Region
• SMS Rail Services, Inc., Albany County: $2.6 million to rehabilitate 14 miles of track and sidings.
• PanAm Southern, LLC, Rensselaer County: $2.5 million to reconfigure and expand tracks at Hoosick Junction.

Central New York
• Port of Oswego Authority, Oswego County: $2.1 million to construct additional rail tracks and expand cargo handling facilities.
• New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp., Onondaga County: $1.6 million to install 4 miles of new rail line.

Finger Lakes
• Arcade & Attica Railroad Corp., Wyoming County: $1.3 million to rehabilitate a bridge and 6 miles of track to accommodate heavier rail cars.
• Ontario Midland Railroad Corp., Wayne County: $1.6 million to rehabilitate track to accommodate heavier rail cars.
• Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Corp., Livingston County: $1.1 million to rehabilitate yard tracks in Lakeville and Avon.• Falls Road Railroad Co., Inc., Monroe County: $1.1 million to expand a rail-to-truck facility and rehabilitate track between Lockport and Brockport.

Mid-Hudson
• Middletown & New Jersey Railroad, LLC, Orange County: $900,000 to rehabilitate track and install Positive Train Control equipment on locomotives.
• Central New York Railroad Corp., Orange County: $630,000 to rehabilitate a bridge over the Delaware River.

Mohawk Valley
• Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, Otsego County: $120,000 to rehabilitate track between Cooperstown and Portlandville.

New York City
• New York New Jersey Rail, LLC, Kings County: $1.6 million to construct additional tracks within the 65th Street Yard.
• Consolidated Rail Corporation, Richmond County: $1.7 million to replace worn rail on the Travis Industrial Track.

North Country
• Mohawk Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corp., Oneida & Lewis County: $1.18 million to expand the rail-to-truck transload facility in Utica and rehabilitate the rail line to Lyons Falls.
• Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, Essex County: $1.5 million to rehabilitate passenger cars and locomotives for expanded excursion service.
• St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Authority, St. Lawrence County: $500,000 to reestablish rail access to Benson Mines.

Southern Tier
• Owego and Harford Railway, Inc., Tioga County: $740,000 to rehabilitate Owego Yard.

Western New York
• Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben South Tier Extension Railroad Authority, Cattaraugus County: $1.5 million to improve track and facilities in Olean Yard.
• Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Erie County: $360,000 to rehabilitate and improve rail access to Sumitomo Rubber USA facilities.

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program provides state investments that improve and enhance the movement of freight goods and support economic development statewide. Program funding supports track and bridge rehabilitation to improve reliability; track capacity expansion to alleviate bottlenecks; and the modernization and expansion of rail yards and port facilities.

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