SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $58 MILLION IN HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDS FOR REPLACEMENT OF SCHENECTADY STATION AND FOURTH TRACK AT ALBANY-RENSSELAER STATION SCHUMER CALLED FOR FUNDS TO COME TO NY AFTER FLORIDA TURNED MONEY AWAY

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that $58 million in high speed rail money will be coming to the Empire Corridor, funding projects that include replacing the Schenectady Station and constructing a fourth station track at the AlbanyRensselaer Station. These projects and others will go a long way towards improving reliability, speed and frequency there and throughout the Empire Corridor. The $58 million comes from $2.4 billion dollars in high speed rail money for Florida that was rejected by Governor Rick Scott. After the governor rejected the funds, Schumer immediately called on Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to put the money to use funding critical rail projects throughout New York, including the necessary track work at the Schenectady and AlbanyRensselaer Stations. Schumer highlighted that these funds will not only create major improvements in the Capital Region, but will increase efficiency and reliability for travelers throughout the entire Empire Corridor.

"I am pleased that these funds will be put to good use here in the Capital Region, helping to replace Schenectady's train station and to construct a fourth track in AlbanyRensselaer," said Schumer. "Train travel has a rich history in New York, but it is also the superhighway of the future. It is essential that we have the infrastructure in place to support a robust and efficient high speed rail network throughout Upstate New York, and these funds will go a long way towards making sure the Capital Region remains a key hub in that system."

Schumer announced that the Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration selected the Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements as one of its major high speed rail projects. The Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements project received $58 million, and Schumer highlighted that this includes plans for the replacement of the Schenectady Station and the construction of a fourth station track at the AlbanyRensselaer Station. Schumer notes that this will alleviate major congestion and holdups that Capital Region commuters experience at this station, one of the most significant bottlenecks on the Empire Corridor. The $58 million project will also fund upgrades to tracks, stations and signals, improving rail operations along the Empire Corridor.  

The Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration selected 15 states and Amtrak to receive $2.02 billion for 22 highspeed intercity passenger rail projects as part of a nationwide network that will connect 80 percent of Americans to highspeed rail in 25 years. Nearly 100 percent of the $2.02 billion announced today will go directly to construction of rail projects, bringing expanded and improved highspeed intercity passenger rail service to cities in all parts of the country. 

This high speed rail project is part of a large initiative, funded at $10.1 billion to date, which aims to provide rail access to new communities and improve the reliability, speed and frequency of existing lines. DOT has a strict "Buy America" requirement for highspeed rail projects, and ensures that U.S. manufacturers and workers will receive the maximum economic benefits from this federal investment. 

Schumer applauds Secretary Lahood's decision to redirect rail funding from Florida to New York, specifically towards the Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements project in the Capital Region. The project will funding numerous projects, specifically the replacement of the Schenectady Station and the construction a fourth track at the AlbanyRensselaer station, alleviating delays and increasing efficiency at these significant bottlenecks.