Rail News – New York awards $111 million to fund port, freight-rail infrastructure upgrades. For Railroad Career Professionals

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul yesterday announced the award of $111.1 million in grants to help fund 38 port and freight-rail infrastructure projects across the state.

Awarded through the state’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, the funding will be used for projects that will modernize key freight lines and port facilities. The funding is the largest amount ever awarded under the program, state officials said in a press release.

The projects include track and bridge rehabilitation, capacity expansion, procurement of cleaner rail equipment, and the modernization and expansion of rail infrastructure in freight yards and at seaport facilities.

“This funding will upgrade important parts of our transportation infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century, reduce pollution, and fuel the economic engines that power our state,” Hochul said.

The grant awards and related projects include:
• $9.9 million for the Albany Port District Commission’s lift wharf deck and rail enhancement project to enable the port to handle heavier cargo;
• $4.4 million to Pan Am Southern for the Patriot Corridor safety enhancement project that includes rail replacement, the elimination of joints and other major rail safety components;
• $3.9 million to a CSX vertical clearance improvement and safety enhancement project that will remove five abandoned highway bridges along the Class I’s lines throughout New York. The bridges pose safety risks, and their removal aligns with CSX standard clearance requirements; and
• $1.8 million for the Port of Oswego to reduce its carbon footprint by obtaining an electric rail-car mover.

A full list of the winning projects is available here.