Metro-North to receive FTA grant for hurricane resiliency work

MTA Metro-North Railroad will receive a grant worth almost $20.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to make the railroad’s Hudson Line more resilient to major storms.

The federal grant was announced by U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and will be matched by nearly $7 million in capital funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The project will involve improving power and signal resiliency by raising the height of signal power transformers, remote terminal houses and communications pedestals.

The federal funding is being obligated through the FTA's Public Transportation Emergency Relief program as part of the federal government’s Sandy-relief legislation.

When Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in October 2012, it destroyed much of the Hudson Line’s electric components and third rail, as saltwater flooded tracks systemwide. The grant will fund the design and construction of 92 elevated steel equipment platforms to house power and signal equipment.

"Superstorm Sandy devastated our communities and these funds will help rebuild our transportation infrastructure even stronger and more resilient so that the New Yorkers who rely on Metro-North to get to work every day can have the peace of mind knowing we are better prepared for when the next storm hits," said Gillibrand in a prepared statement.