Albany, NY - Gov. David Paterson today announced approval of more than $42 million in funding for 34 rail and port capital improvement projects in New York, including three in Central New York. The local projects include: $2 million to the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway Co. for a $2.2 million project to improve track along the Syracuse Mainline...
Albany, NY - Gov. David Paterson today announced approval of more than $42 million in funding for 34 rail and port capital improvement projects in New York, including three in Central New York.
The local projects include:
$2 million to the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway Co. for a $2.2 million project to improve track along the Syracuse Mainline in Onondaga and Cortland counties and extend connector track and construct a yard at the Binghamton freight rail station in Broome County;
$1.9 million to the Finger Lakes Railway Corp. for a $2.1 million project to rehabilitate approximately 46 miles of track in Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca counties;
$1.75 million to the Port of Oswego Authority for a $2.25 million project to rehabilitate and reconstruct a section of the pier and install a new fender system in Oswego County;
Paterson said the projects were selected based on a number of criteria, including project readiness; environmental impacts; and a project's ability to improve or support safety, security, economic development and sustainability.
"Investing in transportation infrastructure improvement projects is essential not only to supporting a stable statewide economy, but also to helping grow that economy by allowing freight to be shipped and delivered more safely and efficiently," Paterson said. "New York's economic vitality depends on having a modern, effective transportation system, and this funding will help strengthen that system today, and contribute to the overall reliability of our transportation infrastructure in the future."
State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: "These rail and port capital improvement projects are essential because they will make it easier and safer to get products and materials from distribution facilities to stores in communities all over New York. The changes made to these facilities also will improve the delivery of goods and services in our State."
The $2.9 billion Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005 provides $135 million for railroad and port facility improvements and supplied $27.4 million of funding for this round of projects. More than $80 million in bond act funding has already been apportioned to rail and port projects across New York, with another $27 million remaining.
The Governor's Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program provides $100 million in funding for track improvements, grade crossing eliminations or upgrades, and construction or modernization of intermodal facilities. This year's funding includes $14.7 million, with approximately $15 million remaining for future projects.
Contact Mike McAndrew at mmcandrew@syracuse.com or 470-3016.