SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DELIVER $3.1 MILLION TO MODERNIZE CENTRAL NEW YORK FREIGHT RAIL CORRIDOR CONNECTING CORTLAND COUNTY TO ONONDAGA COUNTY

Senators Say NYS&W Main Line Is A Key Corridor For Freight Rail Needed To Support Central NY Businesses And Major Manufacturing Projects Like Micron

Thanks To Schumer's Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, New Fed Investment Will Help NYS&W Upgrade Infrastructure Between Cortland And Virgil

Schumer, Gillibrand: Getting CNY Rail Infrastructure Back On Track!

After Schumer two years ago stood in Cortland to tout major federal funding to upgrade rail infrastructure in Cortland and Onondaga Counties, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) has received an additional $3,168,302 in federal funding to make critical improvements to the Main Line between Cortland and Virgil. This federal investment comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program that Schumer fought to boost funding for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law. The senators said that with major new business and manufacturing investments like Micron happening in Central New York, it is more important than ever to upgrade the region's aging rail infrastructure.

"New upgrades to NYS&W's Main Line just got the green light! I'm proud to deliver more than $3 million in federal funding from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law for critical rail improvements between Cortland and Virgil," said Senator Schumer. "With major new business and manufacturing projects like Micron underway in Central New York, it is more important than ever that the region is connected and has modern infrastructure. Two years ago, I stood in Cortland to deliver millions in federal funding to replace miles of near century-old rail, and I'm proud to deliver more for Central New York's rail infrastructure today."

"The NYS&W line keeps New Yorkers and our businesses moving," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD). "This critical $3.1 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will modernize the rail system between Cortland and Virgil just in time for new corporations like Micron coming to the area. It is critical that with the uptick in new companies coming to Central New York, we have a rail system to match."

"NYS&W is proud to receive this CRISI award, which funds $3.1 million in track rehabilitation and revitalization between Syracuse and Cortland, New York, including upgrades to Continuous Welded Rail. These critical infrastructure improvements will enhance operational safety, increase fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, allow for higher track speeds, and improve service for NYS&W's customers. NYS&W remains committed to supporting local businesses, strengthening regional supply chains, and promoting economic growth and development throughout Central New York. NYS&W is grateful for Senator Schumer's unwavering support for investments in the regional and national rail network," said James Bonner, President of NYS&W.

Schumer urged U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator David Fink to deliver this funding for Central New York. NYS&W will use this funding to remove slow zones, reduce maintenance costs, and enable 286,000-pound railcar capacity by helping install continuous welded rail and ties and renew ballast along approximately 4.5 miles of rail. The federal funding today comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. This award brings the total federal investment in NYSW's project to $13,528,522, including $3,961,750 in FY23-24 CRISI funding, $3,467,348 in FY22 CRISI funding, and $2,931,122 in FY21 CRISI funding, all a direct result of the historic increases in funding for the program Schumer fought to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, which Schumer crafted and led to passage in the Senate, included $5 billion over five years for the CRISI program. The program invests in projects to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.

The NYS&W operates over 400 miles of track in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and is 286,000-pound gross weight capable on all lines. NYS&W serves over 85 customers and transports a wide range of commodities such as feed ingredients, lumber, and other building materials, chemicals, and aggregates for customers in New York State.

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