advertisement

---

In fall, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) plans to launch a study of train operations and rail infrastructure needs in the western portion of the Empire Corridor.

NYSDOT recently contracted SYSTRA Engineering to help develop a rail transportation plan for the corridor, which connects the Capital District with Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, including a rail connection between the Hudson Line Corridor and New York City, and other rail lines in the state.

The western portion study will include detailed computer simulations of Amtrak's Empire Service between the Rensselaer station and Canadian border in Niagara Falls. The study also will analyze freight-rail operations within the 323-mile corridor, including CSX Transportation and Canadian Pacific Railway. In addition, NYSDOT and SYSTRA also will assess various conceptual infrastructure improvements and analyze future rail traffic.

The New York State Senate Task Force on High-Speed Rail will provide funding for the study. CSXT, CPR and Amtrak will provide NYSDOT and SYSTRA technical guidance and support.

NYSDOT funds select capital improvements for the state's freight- and passenger-rail networks, and provides Amtrak operating assistance for some services.