Hoosick Junction Interchange gets state funding

CAPITALREGION, N.Y. >> Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $27.1 million to fund rail and port improvement projects across New York State, including one in Rensselaer County.

Officials said the grants, from the Governor’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, will support projects that strengthen infrastructure and economic development vital to the movement of goods throughout the state.

“New York’s rail and port infrastructure is critical to local economies across the state, and these grants will not only support existing commercial activities but to help attract new business investments as well,” Governor Cuomo said in a news release. “With these improvements, we can keep these economic engines running, and ensure safe and efficient travel for both passenger and freight customers statewide.”

“We’re investing in infrastructure improvements to continue to strengthen communities across the state,” added Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul in the release. “These grants will fund railroad bridge repairs and rehabilitate tracks to increase commercial transportation, support new business, and boost the local economy.”

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas said in the release, “Governor Cuomo’s continued investment in rail and port facilities will facilitate sustained economic growth across the state. Under his leadership, New York State has enhanced its position as a vital, competitive entity in the global marketplace.”

The list of grant recipients and awards are:

Capital Region - $4.2 million

• Pan Am-Southern, LLC, Rensselaer County - $2.7 million to reconfigure and expand tracks at the Hoosick Junction Interchange.

• Albany Port Railroad Corp., Albany County - $1.2 million to replace an existing switcher locomotive with a Tier 4 compliant switcher (Clean Diesel Locomotive).

• Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency, Schenectady County - $0.3 million for rail track improvements at the Glenville Business and Technology Park.

Central New York - $4.5 million

• Finger Lakes Railway Corp., Cayuga County, - $2.8 million for coordinated yard improvements.

• Central New York Regional Transportation Authority., Onondaga County, - $0.6 million for William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center Platform Rehabilitation.

• New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp., Onondaga County - $1.1 million for installation of 2.6 miles of new continuous welded rail.

Finger Lakes - $4.7 million

• Falls Road Railroad Co., Inc., Niagara and Orleans Counties - $0.9 million for bridge repairs and track rehabilitation between Lockport and Brockport.

• Ontario Midland Railroad Corp., Wayne County - $2.9 million for 15 miles of track rehabilitation and improve three grade crossings.

• Rochester & Southern Railroad, Inc., Genesee County - $0.9 million for rehabilitation of nine public grade crossings and one bridge.

Mid-Hudson - $1.6 million

• Middletown & New Jersey Railroad, LLC, Orange County - $1.6 million for track rehabilitation and siding.

Mohawk Valley - $2.6 million

• Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad Corp., Oneida County - $1.8 million for engine house expansion and track and bridge rehabilitation.

• City of Rome, Oneida County - $0.8 million for rehabilitation of a combined railroad - highway bridge.

New York City - $6.3 million

• Long Island Rail Road, Queens County - $2.8 million to rehabilitate the Union Turnpike bridge.

• NYC Department of Small Business Services, Richmond County - $3.5 million for rehabilitation of the Arthur Kill Lift Bridge. Southern Tier - $1.9 • Central New York Railroad Corp., Delaware and Sullivan County - $0.6 million to replace high side rail and track rehabilitation.

• B&H Rail Corp., Steuben County - $0.8 million for bridge rehabilitations.

• Catskill Revitalization Corp., Delaware County - $0.5 million to restore 6.7 miles of rail for the scenic “Highmount Project”.

Western New York - $1.3 million

• Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben South Tier Extension Railroad Authority, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties - $1.3 million for track rehabilitation and grade crossing improvements from Steamburg to Poland Center.

“On behalf of the Railroads of New York, I applaud Governor Cuomo’s commitment to enhance New York’s economic competitiveness through the ef ficient movement of freight,” Railroads of New York President Don Hutton said in the release. “These investments not only reduce costs for shippers, but they will lead to lower commodity prices for consumers.”