Senators announce $3 million grant for PTC, rail safety in New York

U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced on Monday a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the implementation of positive train control (PTC), improvements to intercity passenger-rail grade crossings and the Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan Grant Program.

The federal funds will advance safety precautions on railways and provide engineering assistance to implement PTC on MTA Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line from Poughkeepsie to Hoffmann's, N.Y., the senators said in a press release.

The money also would go toward PTC implementation along Amtrak's Empire and Adirondack corridors west of Schenectady.

“This federal funding is good news for New York and for the residents and visitors who travel on the Hudson, Empire and Adirondack lines every day," said Schumer. “I will continue fighting to ensure this kind of life-saving technology is implemented everywhere."

The senators said the project will benefit nationwide implementation of PTC because it involves working with two Class I railroads on developing the system architecture and layout necessary for the transition from an ACSES system to I-ETMS system.