Update: NYSDOT Receives $2 Million in High-Speed Rail Funding

ALBANY, NY (08/05/2011)(readMedia)-- Note to Media: This Revised version of the story includes quotes from Congresswoman Slaughter and Congressman Tonko.

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced receipt of a $2 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for preliminary engineering and environmental work for a project to rehabilitate or replace the Livingston Avenue Bridge. The structure carries freight and passenger trains along the Empire Corridor across the Hudson River between Albany and Rensselaer counties.

"The Livingston Avenue Bridge provides a critical link for high-speed passenger and freight rail service across New York State," Commissioner McDonald said. "High-speed rail is a critical component of Governor Andrew Cuomo's economic development agenda. Modernization of this vital but aging structure is an essential investment that will increase the speed and reliability of service and reduce travel and shipping times. I thank U.S. Representatives Slaughter and Tonko and all of the New York State Congressional Delegation for their work to secure this important rail funding for the Capital District. "

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, founder of both the Upstate Congressional Caucus and Bicameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus, said, "Today's announcement is an important step for high-speed rail in Upstate New York because it is not only bringing New York one step closer to high-speed passenger rail that will traverse Upstate's largest cities, but also protects the funding we worked hard to secure. By looking into ways to replace the Livingston Bridge crossing the Hudson River we will improve the on-time efficiency across the Empire Corridor. With the obligation of more that $6 million, we can rest assured that it is safely in the hands of New York's Department of Transportation where it will be spent on what it was intended for."

Congressman Paul D. Tonko said, "This is another small step forward toward more reliable freight and passenger train service in New York. This bridge is old, outdated and in desperate need of replacement. These are the type of federal investments that repair aging infrastructure, improve our transportation system, and most importantly - create jobs. I applaud Governor Cuomo and Commissioner McDonald for their commitment to creating the infrastructure we need to remain economically competitive and create jobs. These federal funds are proof positive that stretching government resources can spur growth and upgrade our aging infrastructure."

Moving forward with this preliminary work is an important step to ultimately replacing or rehabilitating the existing Livingston Avenue Bridge, which is near the end of its useful life. Closure of the bridge would put rail passenger service west and north of Albany at risk. The Albany-Rensselaer Station is typically rated as one of the 10 busiest Amtrak stations in the United States.

The Empire Corridor is the primary passenger rail corridor in New York State, connecting the New York City metropolitan area to Albany and points west, including Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls. The Livingston Avenue Bridge, the only Hudson River crossing in the Empire Corridor, is a vital link for rail traffic traveling through the Capital Region. The existing bridge, which is a movable swing bridge, was built in 1866 and trains are limited to crossing one at a time at no more than 15 MPH.

Completion of the required engineering and environmental work will allow the project to move forward to the final design phase and eventually construction of a rehabilitated or replacement bridge. NYSDOT expects to hold a public information meeting about the project sometime this fall.

NYSDOT applied for funding in 2010 through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, a discretionary program that provided $245 million nationwide for corridor development and congestion relief projects. The Department will provide $2 million in matching funds for the engineering and environmental work. The Livingston Avenue Bridge is used primarily by Amtrak for passenger rail service, but is owned by CSX Transportation, a freight rail company.

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