Slaughter Announces $60 Million for HSR Projects Along Upstate's Empire Corridor

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today announced almost $60 million has been awarded to New York State for two rail projects that will advance high-speed rail projects along Upstate's high-speed rail corridor. Today federal funding turned down by Florida Governor Rick Scott was reallocated to New York benefiting the Rochester Intermodal Station to the tune of $1.4 million and building a fourth track in the highly congested Rensselaer station in Albany with an additional $58 million awarded today.

Today federal funding turned down by Florida Governor Rick Scott was reallocated to New York benefiting Rochester Intermodal Station to the tune of $1.4 million and building a fourth track in the highly congested Rensselaer station in Albany with an additional $58 million. Further details on the projects are included below.

"Every time federal high-speed rail money is available, millions of dollars have come to New York," said Slaughter, founding Co-Chair of the Bicameral High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus. "Because New York is willing to embrace the vision that other states have rejected, we will be able to create one of the largest international trade corridors placing Upstate New York's cities squarely in the middle of economic activity. When other states have rejected the vision of a high-speed intercity network, I have made sure New York has been willing to move ahead and not repeat their mistakes.

Thirty-four states were competing for Florida's allocated funding. New York's upstate and downstate projects together received almost one-fifth of Florida's rejected funds.

"I'm particularly pleased to see funding for the Rochester Intermodal Station which will make high-speed rail accessible to tourists and business commuters who come to Rochester," said Slaughter. "I'm also pleased that we are laying track and relieving one of the Empire Corridor's most significant bottlenecks in Albany. The tracks around Albany have been congested for years and the construction of this fourth track is long overdue."

On February 16, the same day Florida's governor rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding, Slaughter wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood requesting that a portion of the funding be given to New York's high-speed rail program. The full text of the letter is available below.

Slaughter is the founder and Co-Chair of the Upstate Congressional Caucus and founding Co-Chair of the Bicameral High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus.

Last week, for her work advocating for a national high-speed rail network that includes Upstate New York, Slaughter was awarded the Golden Spike Award from the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP). NARP President and CEO Ross B. Capon said, "Through her leadership over many years, and this year in the creation of the bicameral High Speed and Intercity Rail Caucus, Congresswoman Slaughter has shown the steadfast political courage it will take to create a modern passenger rail system, bringing the many benefits of trains to Americans across the nation."

Summary of Projects

New York - Rochester Station and Track Improvements - $1.4 million for a preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for a new Rochester Intermodal Station on the Empire Corridor, connecting passengers with additional transit and pedestrian options.

New York - Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements - $58 million to construct upgrades to tracks, stations and signals, improving rail operations along the Empire Corridor. This includes replacement of the Schenectady Station and construction of a fourth station track at the Albany - Rensselaer Station, one of the corridor's most significant bottlenecks.

Slaughter's Letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

February 16, 2011

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood: