» Governor Paterson Signs High Speed Planning Board Legislature…

Announces $2.5 Million State Grant For Proposed Maintenance Base Planning…

Video Of Ceremony Including Remarks By ESPA President Bruce Becker

Governor Paterson visited Niagara Falls on Friday, October 29, where he ceremonially signed into law the legislation creating the new NYS High Speed Rail Planning Board. At the event held at the site of the new Niagara Falls station, Paterson was joined by State Senate President Malcolm Smith, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, Acting NYSDOT Commissioner Stanley Gee and ESPA President Bruce Becker.

L to R standing: Assemblywomen Francine DelMonte, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, State Senate President Malcolm Smith, State Senator Antoine Thompson, ESPA President Bruce Becker; Seated Governor David Paterson
Photo – Niagara Gazette

In his remarks, Governor Paterson noted “We are all coming here to deliver the same message — high speed rail travel is coming to New York; when we say that high-speed rail is coming to New York, we mean that because this is not a statement of intent. I’m not running for anything, so this is not a campaign promise and this is not certainly something that I’m going to put on my wish list for Santa this year. This is a reality.”

The Governor also announced a $2.5 million discretionary state grant to advance the planning and design for a new Amtrak maintenance and layover base for the western end of the Empire Corridor. While no site has yet been specified for this proposed facility, it is anticipated that it would be located in the Niagara Falls area, in relatively close proximity to the new station. The cost of construction and a source of possible funding have not yet been identified. The new facility would replace the current one located at the current Lockport Road station. All layover work is now done outdoors, which is especially difficult in the winter.

An application for $2.0 million for this project had been submitted by NYSDOT as part of the FY ‘10 Federal HSR grant process, but it was not selected by FRA for funding. With the Governor’s announcement, the state has committed to fund the entire cost of this preliminary work.

In his remarks at the event, ESPA President Bruce Becker applauded Governor Paterson for signing the Planning Board legislation and he thanked Senator Smith for advancing the legislation to quick passage earlier this year. He also highlighted that rail ridership across upstate New York was up 13.9% in the past year, with over 1.5 million passengers using Amtrak trains state-wide as their travel mode of choice. He stated “These are big numbers…I can only imagine how many more New Yorkers will take to the rails in the future as more frequent, reliable, comfortable and price-competitive higher speed trains become a viable and credible option for citizens of our state.”

Governor Paterson now has until approximately November 19 to appoint nine members to the new Board, who will serve along with the President of Metro North and the Commissioner of DOT. The State Senate and Assembly leadership will each be recommending three Board candidates, with the Governor selecting the remaining three members. ESPA continues to actively seek a seat on the Board in order to represent the interests of the rail passengers of New York.

Bruce B. Becker