Leaders announce funds for rail lines

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES $151 MILLION FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL IN NEW YORK (Release)

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Thursday announced that New York State is receiving $151 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build new high-speed rail lines across New York.

“This is great news for New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Building high-speed rail here will connect more commuters and businesses, create jobs immediately and help rebuild our economy for the long term. We’ve worked hard for a long time to bring high-speed rail to New York. This round of funding is just the first step in our efforts to secure what New York needs to achieve true high-speed rail connectivity. I will keep fighting to make sure New York gets more high speed rail funding in future rounds.”

 

These funds are part of the initial $8 billion passed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Last month, Senator Gillibrand supported an additional $2.5 billion for high-speed rail capital projects. As the President finalizes his Budget for 2011, it is anticipated that additional funds will be requested.

Senator Gillibrand is working hard to deliver New York another round of federal investments to build our high-speed rail, connect more communities across the state, create jobs and continue driving our economic recovery.

New York State will receive the following federal investments in this first round of funding for high-speed rail:

TOTAL FOR NEW YORK: $151,000,000
Project FD/Construction : Adirondack - Ballston Spa Capacity Improvements - Final design and construction of 2.27 miles of third mainline track used by Amtrak's state-supported Adirondack (New York - Montreal) and Ethan Allen Express (New York - Rutland, VT) services, which will improve the reliability and on-time performance of these services. Cost: $3,000,000

Planning: Empire Corridor Planning -Preparation of a service development plan and environmental studies for high speed rail enhancements throughout the Empire Corridor. Cost: $1,000,000

Project: FD/ Construction- Empire Corridor South - Albany-Schenectady 2nd Track

Project: FD/ Construction- Installation of a second track, interlocking reconfigurations and grade crossing warning device systems to eliminate an existing bottleneck and improve safety.

Project: FD/ Construction- Empire Corridor West - Phase 1 3rd Track Mileposts 382-393 -Preparation of preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for 11 miles of third track, which will allow for passenger rail operating speeds up to 110 mph.

Project: FD/ Construction- Empire Corridor West - Rochester Station Improvement - Construction and repair of the Rochester Station to improve passenger accessibility related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Project: FD/ Construction- Empire Corridor West - Buffalo-Depew Station Improvement - Rehabilitation of the Buffalo-Depew station facilities to a state of good repair and accessibility upgrades to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

(Cost of last five Projects, $147,000,000)

 

 

Congressman Higgins Announces $151 Million for High Speed Rail in New York (Release)

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that President Obama has released $151 million for rail infrastructure improvements in New York State. The funding for the Empire Corridor was one of several allocations made toward the goal of a national vision to expand high speed rail in America.

 

“Development of New York’s rail line will provide this State with new opportunities for connections that drive our economy,” said Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the Upstate New York Congressional Caucus. “Through this effort we can better connect workers to jobs, goods to buyers and tourists to New York’s attractions. This Recovery Act investment is one example of a project that creates real jobs for real people both in the short and long term.”

 

The funding was provided through $8 billion set aside for rail infrastructure through the federal Recovery Act.

 

According to the US Department of Transportation, competition for these federal dollars was extensive. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) received 278 pre-applications requesting more than $102 billion for high speed rail from 40 states and the District of Columbia.

 

Included in the funding for New York, $ 147,000,000 will support:

· Empire Corridor West - Buffalo-Depew Station Improvement

Rehabilitation of the Buffalo-Depew station facilities to a state of good repair and accessibility upgrades to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards

 

· Empire Corridor West - Rochester Station Improvement

Construction and repair of the Rochester Station to improve passenger accessibility related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

· Empire Corridor South - Albany-Schenectady 2nd Track

Installation of a second track, interlocking reconfigurations and grade crossing warning device systems to eliminate an existing bottleneck and improve safety.

 

· Empire