NEW YORK STATE--U.S. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $23,297,293 in federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability across upstate New York. The funding was allocated through the federal railroad administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program and will be used to make significant improvements to passenger and freight railways in both central New York and the Finger Lakes region.
“Short line railroads that are vital connectors across upstate New York will be able to make long overdue investments in infrastructure to ensure our railroads are safer and more resilient so both passengers and goods can get where they need to go on time,” said Schumer. “Upstate NY has long been a hub for freight rail activity and this funding will help ensure communities from Oneida to Yates County have the 21st-century rail network they need to move our local economies full steam ahead.”
The bipartisan infrastructure law included $5 billion over five years for the CRISI program. The program invests in various projects within the United States to improve the railroads; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.
The Finger Lakes Railway Corp. will receive $3,869,945. According to the senators, “The proposed project involves project development, final design, and construction activities for a variety of track-related improvements and upgrades to certain grade crossings. The project will improve safety, capacity, and reliability in the transportation system in the Finger Lakes region by making needed improvements to the Finger Lakes Railway’s Himrod Line in rural New York, which provides a critical gateway to the national rail system and global markets for New York’s salt industry. Finger Lakes Railway will provide a 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.”
Finger Lakes Railway Corporation is a short line railroad that owns and operates over 150 miles of track from its Geneva headquarters and has track in six counties in the Finger Lakes region including Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Yates, and Schuyler. They have a fleet of 19 locomotives and also lease over 500 railcars.
“Short line railroads that are vital connectors across upstate New York will be able to make long overdue investments in infrastructure to ensure our railroads are safer and more resilient so both passengers and goods can get where they need to go on time,” said Schumer. “Upstate NY has long been a hub for freight rail activity and this funding will help ensure communities from Oneida to Yates County have the 21st-century rail network they need to move our local economies full steam ahead.”
The bipartisan infrastructure law included $5 billion over five years for the CRISI program. The program invests in various projects within the United States to improve the railroads; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.
The Finger Lakes Railway Corp. will receive $3,869,945. According to the senators, “The proposed project involves project development, final design, and construction activities for a variety of track-related improvements and upgrades to certain grade crossings. The project will improve safety, capacity, and reliability in the transportation system in the Finger Lakes region by making needed improvements to the Finger Lakes Railway’s Himrod Line in rural New York, which provides a critical gateway to the national rail system and global markets for New York’s salt industry. Finger Lakes Railway will provide a 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.”
Finger Lakes Railway Corporation is a short line railroad that owns and operates over 150 miles of track from its Geneva headquarters and has track in six counties in the Finger Lakes region including Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Yates, and Schuyler. They have a fleet of 19 locomotives and also lease over 500 railcars.
