Cuomo awards $25 million in grants for New York rail, port projects

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday announced $25 million in grants that will fund rail and port improvement projects.

Awarded to 19 applicants through the state's Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, the grants will support projects that strengthen infrastructure and economic development that's vital to the movement of goods throughout New York, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office.

The grants will leverage an additional $5.4 million in public and private investments to complete the projects.

"A strong, reliable transportation system is critical to supporting safe, efficient travel for both New Yorkers and visitors, and our investments are key to ensuring the long-term resiliency of infrastructure across the state to support economic growth for generations to come," said Cuomo.

The grant recipients, locations and awards are:

• SMS Rail Services Inc., Albany County, $2.6 million to rehabilitate 14 miles of track and sidings.
• Pan Am Southern LLC, Rensselaer County, $2.5 million to reconfigure and expand tracks at Hoosick Junction.
• Port of Oswego Authority, Oswego County, $2.1 million to construct additional rail tracks and expand cargo handling facilities.
• New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp., Onondaga County, $1.6 million to install 4 miles of new rail line.
• Arcade & Attica Railroad Corp., Wyoming County, $1.3 million to rehabilitate a bridge and 6 miles of track to accommodate heavier rail cars.
• Ontario Midland Railroad Corp., Wayne County, $1.6 million to rehabilitate track to accommodate heavier rail cars.
• Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Corp., Livingston County, $1.1 million to rehabilitate yard tracks in Lakeville and Avon.
• Falls Road Railroad Co. Inc., Monroe County, $1.1 million to expand a rail-to-truck facility and rehabilitate track between Lockport and Brockport.
• Middletown & New Jersey Railroad LLC, Orange County, $900,000 to rehabilitate track and install positive train control equipment on locomotives.
• Central New York Railroad Corp., Orange County, $630,000 to rehabilitate a bridge over the Delaware River.
• Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, Otsego County, $120,000 to rehabilitate track between Cooperstown and Portlandville.
• New York New Jersey Rail LLC, Kings County, $1.6 million to construct additional tracks within the 65th Street Yard.
• Conrail, Richmond County, $1.7 million to replace worn rail on the Travis industrial track.
• Mohawk Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corp., Oneida & Lewis County, $1.18 million to expand the rail-to-truck transload facility in Utica and rehabilitate the rail line to Lyons Falls.
• Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, Essex County, $1.5 million to rehabilitate passenger cars and locomotives for expanded excursion service.
• Owego and Harford Railway Inc., Tioga County: $740,000 to rehabilitate Owego Yard.
• Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben Southern Tier Extension Railroad Authority, Cattaraugus County, $1.5 million to improve track and facilities in Olean Yard.
• Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Erie County, $360,000 to rehabilitate and improve rail access to Sumitomo Rubber USA facilities.