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ALBANY, NY — U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko today celebrated the award of $215,104,000 to New York State Department of Transportation to replace the Livingston Avenue Bridge. For years, Tonko has campaigned for federal funding for the Livingston Avenue Bridge project. Earlier this year, he wrote to the Federal Railroad Administration calling for the project to be funded.

“The Livingston Avenue Bridge is a vital point of connection between Albany and Rensselaer and makes up the only Upstate New York passenger rail crossing over the Hudson,” Congressman Tonko said. “This Civil War-era rail bridge has long been in need of replacement to meet the needs of our communities. Now, at long last, this funding will help pave the way for groundbreaking improvements that will bolster rail service and reliability, and offer safe and easy access for pedestrians. I’m proud to have played a role in pushing for this vital funding to our region, and am grateful to all those whose efforts have driven this project forward.”

The proposed project involves construction to replace a passenger rail bridge, built in 1865, spanning the Hudson river. The new bridge will improve service and reliability along the Empire Corridor, while also providing pedestrians and cyclists with a safe, convenient, and easy-to-access Hudson River crossing. The project meets modern rail standards, allowing for simultaneous two-track operation, removing current speed restrictions, increasing operating speeds, and more.