U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko today praised Governor David Paterson's 2009 New York State Rail Plan, saying he is thrilled that the state is moving forward on a strategy for high speed rail.
Governor Paterson unveiled the plan during a news conference this morning at the Rensselaer Train Station. It details a strategy to improve New York's rail infrastructure with the goals of increasing the amount of freight that is carried via rail and improving the speed and reliability of passenger trains. One of the highlights of the plan is the Third Rail Initiative, which could lead to the construction of a dedicated high-speed rail line from Niagara Falls to Albany, cutting travel time by up to two hours.
"Improving our transportation system is one of the keys to creating long-term economic growth across New York State," said Rep. Tonko. "Once we fix the bottlenecks in the system, rail becomes a very attractive option for commuters and companies that need to move freight. It has the added benefit of taking cars and trucks off the road, reducing congestion and fuel consumption.
"Much of the repair work needs to be done here in the 21st Congressional District. A second track must be added west of Albany so trains don't have to wait for traffic to clear. The Livingston Avenue bridge in Albany needs repairs and updated signals. And adding a fourth rail will get trains in and out of the Rensselaer Station much faster. These improvements could be the first steps toward making the dream of high speed rail a reality."
