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Officials in two states recently celebrated the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail grants they received when the U.S. Department of Transportation redirected $2 billion in funds initially intended for Florida.

In New York, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, General Contractors Association Managing Director Denise Richardson and Transportation Alternatives Communications Director Michael Murphy unveiled a report May 19 outlining the job and economic benefits that will result from the state’s $295 million grant to improve Harold Interlocking. The interlocking is a key junction point in Queens’ Sunnyside Yards, through which trains from three major transit systems pass on their way into and out of the city.

The project is expected to create 9,213 jobs during the next five years, boost economic activity in the region by $585.9 million, bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue, reduce commute times for MTA Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains and pave the way for faster trains between New York City and Boston.

“The [grant] … is one of the most cost-effective uses for high-speed rail dollars in the nation,” said Richardson in a prepared statement. “Harold is literally at the center point of the Northeast Corridor and streamlining the movement of trains through this area will speed service from Boston to Washington, and will help improve the efficiency of the entire rail network.”

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, Gov. Lincoln Chafee, members of the state’s congressional delegation and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) officials met today at Kingston Station to discuss the future of high-speed rail in the state.

Rhode Island received $28 million in redirected Florida funds, $25 million of which will be used to complete Kingston Station improvements. The project includes building 1.5 miles of passing track so Amtrak Acela trains can bypass regional trains, enabling Acela trains to reach speeds up to 150 mph in southern Rhode Island. The state also will raise platforms to make the station ADA accessible.

The Kingston Station work also will help advance the state’s plans for commuter-rail service. RIDOT is working to extend commuter-rail service to a Wickford Junction station in North Kingstown by early next year; the department currently is conducting a feasibility study to expand commuter-rail service to Kingston and Westerly.

The remainder of Rhode Island’s high-speed rail grant will be used to fund preliminary engineering and environmental work for a Providence Station renovation.