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On Aug. 5, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) obligated grant funds for two projects under the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program.

The FRA signed a $2.9 million grant agreement with NYSDOT for an engineering and environmental analysis of the Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center, which will replace the Rochester Amtrak station. The current facility is 33 years old and was designed as a temporary station.  

NYSDOT plans to conduct preliminary engineering and environmental work for the track and platform configurations, and the city of Rochester plans to complete project scoping and preliminary engineering for the facility. NYSDOT will provide a $600,000 matching grant.

FRA also obligated $2 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work to rehabilitate or replace the Livingston Avenue Bridge. Freight and passenger trains operate over the structure, which is located on the Hudson River between Albany and Rensselaer counties.

The existing movable swing bridge was built in 1866. Currently, trains must cross the structure one at a time and speeds cannot exceed 15 mph. Once engineering and environmental work is complete, NYSDOT can advance the project to the final design phase.