New York's railroads are getting a getting a $151 million facelift.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama offered $151 in federal stimulus money to begin the process of creating a high-speed rail line connecting Niagara Falls to New York City. The 110-mph trains would cut travel time from Buffalo to Albany to 3.5 hours and from Buffalo to New York City to less than six hours.
The package – the eighth largest in the country – is considerably less than the $4.7 billion New York lawmakers were hoping to receive. It's also less than the $3.2 billion lawmakers say they need to create the high-speed track, station and bridge.
'This is not everything we wanted, but it's a good start,' said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-NY. 'It shows that the administration has a good mindset toward reaching our ultimate goal: a high-speed rail line from Niagara Falls, through Buffalo, Utica and Syracuse, to Albany and south to New York City.'
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, felt the same way.
'I was hoping for [$500 million], but I'm happy with what we got,' Slaughter said. 'They're not going to start it and not finish it, and I'm going to make sure of that.'
In addition to the train lines, the stimulus money will be used to create a third track between Rochester and Batavia, the construction of a second track between Schenectady and Albany and track improvements between Albany and Montreal.
The Depew and Rochester train stations also will be renovated to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The funds are part of an $8 billion package offered by the Department of Transportation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to spur a nationwide high-speed intercity passenger rail service.
'Through the Recovery Act, we are making the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was created, putting Americans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and waterways for the future,' Obama said. 'That investment is how we can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there's no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America.'
If built, the fast trains would be a boon to students commuting home on breaks.
'It would be very convenient for me, since I live on Long Island,' said Gregory Quackenbush, a freshman biomedical science major. 'Flying home every break is very expensive and a bus ride is very long.'
Senator Kristen E. Gillibrand, D-NY said the funding was great news for New York.
'While I am pleased that New York is included in the first round of funding, we need more investments for New York,' Gillibrand said. 'I will keep fighting to make sure New York gets more high-speed rail funding in future rounds.'
Obama has promised $13 billion toward a high-speed investment. In addition to the $8 billion that was announced on Thursday, $5 billion will be coming through the annual budget process.
The U.S. Transportation Department is also expected to provide additional funding to the high-speed rail effort, which they call a top priority.
Additional reporting by Stephen Marth, Editor in Chief
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
