Gov. Cuomo announces nearly $18 million for New York rail projects

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced $26.8 million in state funds awarded to 38 rail and aviation safety, security and economic development projects.

Included in the grants were $17.9 million from the state's Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program awarded to 12 rail projects that call for repairing and replacing 65 miles of track and ties, rehabilitating grade crossings and bridges, and constructing new connections to improve safety and operations, according to a press release issued by the Cuomo administration.

"By investing in our transportation infrastructure, we are making long term improvements to our rail and aviation systems in order to better serve the people who use them, while also expanding economic opportunities throughout New York," said Cuomo.

The funding, included in the state budget, is expected to generate $36 million in new investments for transportation projects statewide.

The passenger- and freight-rail awards include:
• $3.3 million to Norfolk Southern Railway to construct new connections and double track to improve operations at the Bison Yard in Buffalo;
• $3.1 million to the Central New York Railroad of Cooperstown to rehabilitate railroad track in Delaware and Broome counties;
• $2.3 million to MTA Long Island Rail Road to rehabilitate the Cypress Avenue railroad bridge;
• $1.9 million to Middletown & New Jersey Railroad LLC to rehabilitate railroad track in Orange County;
• $791,000 to Adirondack Railway Preservation Society to construct a maintenance and repair facility in Utica for the Adirondack Scenic Railroad; and
• $567,000 to Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad Corp. to repair culverts and bridges on the Lyons Falls and Rome Branch lines. Two crossings also will be rehabilitated.

For a complete list of projects, click on this link.