Governor Paterson Announces New High Speed Rail Planning Board and Grant for Related Facility in Niagara Falls

ALBANY, NY (10/29/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson was today joined by Mayor Paul Dyster; Senators Malcolm Smith and Antoine Thompson; Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte; Acting Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Stanley Gee; Bruce Becker of the Empire State Passenger Association and local stakeholders for a ceremonial bill signing establishing the New York State High Speed Rail Planning Board. Governor Paterson also announced a $2.5 million discretionary grant for a high speed rail (HSR) related facility in Niagara Falls.

"This High Speed Rail Planning Board will be a major asset for New York as we progress with our high speed rail infrastructure," Governor Paterson said. "Additionally, with these grant funds Western New York will be positioned as a centralized hub for commerce and transportation, which will be the driving force for reinvigorating the city and entire region. I commend all those involved with this project and the ongoing effort within our State and at the Federal level to invest in New York's long term future with high speed rail."

The new HSR facility for Amtrak trains in Niagara Falls will provide benefits to the overall performance of passenger service within this portion of the Empire Corridor, including better maintained and cleaner equipment, safer inspection, maintenance and cleaning operations for Amtrak crews, reduced noise and emissions, and improved water quality. The project will also evaluate options for a facility close to the Niagara Falls station for storage and light maintenance of trains which stay overnight in Niagara Falls and will examine high tech equipment for monitoring and inspecting passenger trains.

This discretionary grant allocation builds on the recently announced Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant to the New York State Department of Transportation. The FRA awarded New York $28.5 million in funding under the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program for three projects across the State. Included in the Federal grant is $18.5 million for the final design and construction of improvements along the Empire Corridor-a project that will dramatically ease overcrowding and provide better service for passengers.

Prioritized investments to improve New York's intercity high speed passenger and freight rail system will help promote the State's long-term economic recovery and protect the environment by reducing energy use, emissions and congestion on State highways and runways.

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The following statements were provided in support of the Governor's discretionary grant and the New York State High Speed Rail Planning Board:

Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm A. Smith said: "This represents a great opportunity for us to create jobs and promote economic development in our State now and well into the future. Reducing dependence on foreign oil and the impact of car travel on our environment is a concern for all Americans, especially New Yorkers. When you factor in the positive economic impact, the convenience of travel, and the environmental benefits, a High Speed Rail System in New York State makes good sense. I want to commend the Governor and my colleagues in the State Legislature for stepping up to the plate and making the planning board a reality. I especially want to thank our Senate Transportation Committee Chair Martin Malavé Dilan for his leadership. I am very optimistic that the New York High Speed Rail Planning Board will play a crucial role in putting our State on the fast track to creating jobs and a high speed rail passenger system."

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan said: "For years, High Speed Rail in New York has been little more than a conversation, with little tangible evidence of it becoming a reality. I am pleased to have co-sponsored what today is our first steps toward implementing a sustainable high speed passenger rail network, complete with our first facility in Niagara Falls. Again I thank Governor Paterson, New York's Congressional delegation, and of course President Obama, for bringing high speed rail back to the table and remaining committed to seeing it through."

Senator William T. Stachowski said: "High speed rails have the potential to revolutionize the entire State. The environmental, economic and transportation benefits will be tremendous. In addition, this endeavor would create approximately 250,000 immediate jobs during the construction phase and another 1.7 million jobs upon completion – many of them right here in Western New York. The establishment of this planning board is key to putting us one step closer to creating a State of the art and successful high speed rail system in New York State and I am very pleased that we have begun this process today."

Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: "Establishing the High Speed Rail Planning Board and investing $2.5 million for a facility in Niagara Falls is a step in the right direction toward economic promise for Western New York and the entire State. This project will create good paying jobs for our region, and positively impact climate change – two issues that I am passionate about."

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said: "Since the conversation about high speed rail first began, I have been pushing to make sure the service would begin from Niagara Falls across the State rather than Buffalo. It is particularly beneficial to Niagara Falls that Governor Paterson decided to sign the bill here. This signifies that he heard my message loud and clear."

Assemblyman David Gantt said: "By establishing the High Speed Rail Planning Board, we are taking the next step to creating a modern, efficient passenger rail system that is vital to the future growth and economic viability of upstate and Western New York. This bipartisan panel will help bring together the experts, stakeholders and the public to address the issues necessary to design, finance, build, operate and maintain a high speed rail system."

Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes said: "The State's commitment to High Speed Rail is monumental in the continuous growth of the Buffalo-Niagara region. I am optimistic that this will solidify this region as a major player in the growth of business and as a hub of transportation that connects the Empire State to our neighbors to the west and the south. Dually important is that this message resonates on the Federal level to continue updating our cities to be environmentally friendly and globally competitive in transportation methods."

Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation Stanley Gee said: "I am proud to represent the Department of Transportation which is a permanent member of the new High Speed Rail Planning Board through which I am confident that we will be able to find ways to finance, design, build, operate and maintain a high speed passenger rail system that meets the needs of New York State now and in the future. This step taken today, coupled with the Governor's commitment to developing a High-Speed Rail Inspection and Maintenance Facility in Niagara Falls, and the continued support we are getting from the federal government, is good for the Empire Corridor and for rail service in general. I commend Governor Paterson for his commitment to high-speed rail and for his dedication to putting our State on the right track toward a better future."

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