» Groundbreaking Held For New Niagara Falls Station

After many years of planning, a formal groundbreaking was held on August 24, 2010 for the first phase of construction for a new passenger station in Niagara Falls, NY. Attendees at the event included US Senator Charles Schumer, Congresswomen Louise Slaughter, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and many other regional officials from both sides of the border.

The new facility, to be located at the site of the historic 1863 Customs House (seen to the far right in the project rendering), is adjacent to the Whirlpool Bridge over the Niagara River, currently used by the Maple Leaf on route to and from Toronto. The new stations buildings, which will extend from Whirlpool Street to Main Street along the rail line, will be some distance north of the actual Falls tourist area and will be approximately 1 mile west of the current station, a former Lehigh Valley freight house located in an industrial area.

The entire station project, now estimated to total $44.5 million, has received funding commitments to date of $25.5 million from various sources. Two separate grant requests have recently been submitted for the remaining $19 million needed to fully complete the project.

The first phase of construction now underway includes exterior and interior restoration of the Custom House building, which will ultimately be used by US Border and Customs agencies. In addition, the building will house an interruptive heritage museum focused on the Civil War-era Underground Railroad activities that took place at the site. The second phase of the project, which will commence later this year, will include the replacement of the current CSX bridge over Main Street and other necessary track and signal work.

The third phase, when fully funded, will include the construction of a 7,200 square foot, two-story atrium, which will connect the Customs House to a new 14,800 square foot station building, housing Amtrak operations and border inspection areas. The station will initially have only one 500-foot high-level platform on a dedicated station siding track. The current design for the facility however incorporates the ability to add a second siding and platform in the future as demand warrants. Assuming fund is secured, the entire project could be completed in 2013.

Empire Corridor trains originating/terminating in Niagara Falls will continue to utilize the lay-over and maintenance facilities at the current station site, which will require deadhead moves to and from the site. The Maple Leaf would run through in both directions on its trip between New York and Toronto.

Bruce B. Becker