Demolition Of The Old Albany/Rensselaer Station To Begin Next Month

ALBANY, NY (10/27/2010)(readMedia)-- Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced that the demolition of the old Albany/Rensselaer train station buildings in Rensselaer, N.Y., is set to begin. Amtrak also announced that it has awarded the contract for the demolition to Jackson Demolition Services of Schenectady, New York. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) economic stimulus program is funding this much-anticipated project.

"The demolition project is the important first step in reconfiguring the Albany/Rensselaer Station and will enable a smooth transition to the ARRA-funded, Albany/Schenectady Double Track Project," said Governor David A. Paterson. "I commend DOT and Amtrak for their efforts to move this project forward and to create high-speed rail across our great state.

"This critical work will ultimately enhance station operations and improve our passengers' overall traveling experience," said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. "We look forward to working with our partners at New York State on this project and the development of additional track capacity for passenger rail throughout the region."

"Through this ARRA-funded project, Amtrak is helping to make the fourth track, which the Department is currently designing, possible," said Stanley Gee, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. "Removing these buildings is a critical step to removing congestion, reducing delays, and improving reliability of passenger rail service. I thank Governor Paterson, our Congressional delegation, and our state and local officials for their support of this project."

Work zone safety fencing will be installed next week, after which demolition-related activity is expected to begin in earnest. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in February, 2011.

The demolition of the old buildings, which were built in 1968 and 1980, is a critical first step toward the installation of a fourth station track and the extension of the existing platform at the new Albany/Rensselaer station. The Albany/Rensselaer station was completed in 2002.

The demolition of the two existing Amtrak-owned buildings (the former Amtrak administrative office building and the old station building) is the first component of a project to build a fourth track at the Albany/Rensselaer station. The proposed additional track will be located where two

vacant buildings are now standing, directly north of the current Albany/Rensselaer Amtrak Station.

The Albany/Rensselaer 4th Track project will result in increased station capacity and will improve the operating flexibility within the station area, leading to better on-time performance and more efficient passenger boarding.

Albany Rensselaer Fourth Track Project description:

At the Albany/Rensselaer Amtrak Station, passengers are currently boarded utilizing three main tracks accessible from the station and two 500 foot long high level platforms. The proposed Fourth Track Project will consist of constructing an additional track at the station, and extending the two platforms to about 1,000 feet long. The project will also realign the existing station tracks, and include new turnouts (track switches) which will allow faster moves and a modern signal system. NYSDOT has a $1.25M Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant toward final design activities for this project.

The Albany/Rensselaer station is Amtrak's ninth busiest station system-wide, serving 723,913 passengers last year.

"We continue to be full-steam ahead with high speed rail development in Upstate New York," Senator Charles E. Schumer said. "Using these federal dollars to clear the adjacent land and expand capacity at the Albany-Rensselaer Station is a smart investment that will allow the ninth busiest train station in the country to continue its prominence as a regional transportation hub, and move us towards a high speed ride from New York City, through Albany and onto Syracuse, Buffalo and Niagara Falls."

"Upgrading our public transportation is critical to growing our economy," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. "This project will help connect more Capital Region businesses and travelers, create jobs and help businesses in the region grow. I will continue working to make sure New York gets the federal investments in transportation we need."

"Today we celebrate another important step forward in bringing high-speed rail to Upstate New York," said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, chairwoman of the Upstate Congressional Caucus. "With the improvements announced here in Albany, New York is well on its way to building the high-speed rail network it deserves. Right now, you cannot fly to your state capitol from Buffalo or Rochester or Syracuse. You have to drive. Taking the train is something everybody wants to do. I hear it everywhere I go, which is why we're working so hard to make high-speed rail possible across Upstate."

"This project will lay the foundation for what will become a much improved travel experience for Amtrak commuters through the Capital Region, and pave the way for high speed rail throughout New York," said Congressman Paul Tonko. "I look forward to continuing our partnership with Amtrak and New York State as we move forward on this critical initiative."

State Senator Malcolm Smith said, "The Rensselaer Train Station is an exceptionally vital component of our passenger rail system in New York and the entire Northeast Corridor; it's a gateway to New York City for many and to Niagara Falls for countless others. Today, as we move forward on the Fourth Track Project -- an endeavor which will help us continue to build capacity, modernize efficiencies and increase reliability -- we again signal to Washington, and the passenger rail traveling public, that New York is committed to high speed rail."

About Amtrak

As the nation's intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2010), the railroad carried over 28.7 million passengers, making it the best year in the company's history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day-at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)-to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

About NYSDOT

NYSDOT was formed in 1967 to direct the state's complex multimodal transportation system. The Department is responsible for the coordination, funding and development of New York's comprehensive transportation policy; managing the State's more than 113,000-mile state and local highway system; inspecting more than 17,400 bridges; supporting an extensive 4,600-mile rail network; as well as providing oversight for the state's public and private aviation facilities, ports, waterways, and mass transit system. Consistent with its mission, "to ensure our customers - those who live, work and travel in New York State -- have a safe, efficient, balanced, and environmentally sound transportation system," NYSDOT serves the system's billions of annual users based on its values of excellence, integrity, partnership, respect and customer service that instill trust and confidence in New York's infrastructure.