Governor Hochul Announces $76.4 Million in Freight Rail Infrastructure Investments

 

State Funding Provided to Enhance Safety, Improve Service Reliability and Support Regional Economic Development

Moving Commodities by Rail Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Alleviates Highway Congestion in Support of New York’s Nation Leading Climate Goals

Full List of Awarded Projects by Region Available Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $76.4 million in funding for 38 projects to renew and modernize New York’s freight rail infrastructure. These 100 percent State funded grants complement the more than $100 million annually in private infrastructure investments made in New York by the freight rail industry. Strategic investments in freight rail improvements are essential for maintaining and enhancing market access for manufacturing and agricultural businesses across the State, including Alcoa in the North Country Region, Corning in the Southern Tier Region, and Lackawanna Products in the Western New York Region.

"The infrastructure projects funded with these grants will further fuel our economic comeback with new construction jobs, while making regional economies more competitive in the long term and enhancing the movement of commodities in an environmentally sustainable way," said Governor Hochul. “As New York leads the nation in its efforts to combat climate change, we will continue to prioritize funding for initiatives that promote economic growth in a responsible manner while mitigating threats to our environment.”  

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, supports investments that enhance the safe movement of freight goods, improves service reliability to retain and grow manufacturing jobs, and supports economic development, especially upstate. Today’s announcement provides funding for track and bridge rehabilitation, capacity expansion, procurement of cleaner rail equipment, and the modernization and expansion of rail infrastructure in freight yards and at seaport facilities.

Today’s strategic investments in freight rail also serve to support New York’s nation leading climate goals. Freight rail has proven to be one the most fuel-efficient methods for moving commerce and is more than three-times more efficient compared to goods movement by truck. A single freight rail train removes several hundred trucks from our roadways, mitigating congestion and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to make smart investments in infrastructure to facilitate economic recovery and growth. These targeted investments in rail will keep well-paying manufacturing jobs in upstate New York and ensure that goods are delivered efficiently, and in an environmentally sustainable manner.”

Charles Hunter, President, Railroads of New York said, “Railroads of New York (RONY) wishes to thank Governor Hochul, our partners in the State Legislature, and the Department of Transportation for providing these essential funds. This investment will help our state’s railroads maintain and expand upon a safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly rail network that allows New York State businesses to realize the tremendous competitive advantage freight rail service provides in transporting goods all across North America.”

A full list of awarded of the projects by region is available here.