CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN AND SENATOR SCHUMER ANNOUNCE VICTORY IN FIGHT TO SAVE RHINECLIFF TRAIN STATION

Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Schumer Announce VICTORY in Fight to Save Rhinecliff Train Station

After the $28M project was paused without explanation, Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Chuck Schumer raised the alarm in advocacy for the critical project

Speaking directly with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Ryan made it clear that the upgrades to Rhinecliff Station - one of NY's busiest - are essential and that the project must resume immediately

Today, Ryan and Schumer are announcing that, thanks to advocacy at every level, the critical project is getting back on track

RHINEBECK, NY - After demanding an end to inexplicable delays for $28 million in much-needed federal funding to upgrade the Rhinecliff Train Station, Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Chuck Schumer announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has heeded their calls and will again be moving forward with the project. Speaking directly with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Congressman Ryan explained that the Rhinecliff Train Station is one of New York's busiest train stations, and delaying this funding could deny Hudson Valley commuters the modern, accessible station they need and deserve. FRA's assurance that the project is moving forward means that the stalled project can now get back on track.

After that conversation and weeks of community advocacy, the Department of Transportation has confirmed that the project is back on track.

"Rhinecliff Station is central to our Hudson Valley community and one of the busiest in New York. We've been fighting for years, not just for more transit options for passengers but to improve our existing infrastructure. The Rhinecliff Station project is the product of years of community advocacy and bipartisan partnership at the local, state, and federal level," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "When the Hudson Valley heard work on this project was paused, I spoke with Secretary Duffy about how this could jeopardize our progress. I'm very grateful he listened, engaged constructively, and acted quickly to get things back on track. That's the kind of effective bipartisanship I'm fighting for, and I will continue to make sure Rhinecliff Station gets the resources it needs to serve our community."

"The Rhinecliff Train Station is one of New York's busiest transportation hubs, but it is in desperate need of critical infrastructure and accessibility improvements. When Congressman Ryan and I heard the Trump administration was senselessly delaying federal support we've fought hard to secure, we immediately called on the Federal Railroad Administration to cut the red tape and stop derailing this vital project," said Senator Schumer. "I'm proud to learn FRA has heeded our calls and will be moving forward with plans to bring Dutchess County the modern and accessible train station it deserves. We will continue watching like hawks to ensure this project stays on track for the local commuters and hundreds of thousands of travelers that come through every year."

"I was proud to help get this project moving years ago and to work with Secretary Duffy to help get it back on track. Rhinecliff Station is vital to the Hudson Valley's economy and quality of life, and ensuring this investment moves forward means a safer, more accessible, and more reliable experience for the people who depend on it every day. This is what can happen when people focus on solving problems and delivering results," said former Congressman and former Federal Transit Administrator Marcus Molinaro.

The representatives said that this project, for one of New York's busiest train stations, will finally give Hudson Valley commuters the modern, accessible station they have desperately needed. Ryan and Schumer explained that, with construction set to begin soon, this last-minute unexplained bureaucratic delay from the Trump administration could have undermined years of progress.

Rhinecliff Station is one of the busiest in New York, but for over 15 years, it has been in utter disrepair with desperately needed accessibility upgrades. The station is 90 miles from New York City and serves 26 Amtrak trains daily. In 2019, the station serviced over 200,000 passengers according to Amtrak. The existing low-level platform requires passengers to use a step stool to transition from the platform, which has created severe accessibility issues and caused many operational delays, which is on top of many other routine maintenance issues that have gotten worse over the years due to a lack of funding.

After Congressman Ryan called Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to explain the importance of this project to the entire Hudson Valley community, the FRA earlier this week informed the New York State Department of Transportation that it can continue moving forward with the project. The project benefited from the efforts of former Congressman and former Federal Transit Administrator Marcus Molinaro, who helped initiate the station improvements years ago and engaged with federal officials and local stakeholders to help move the project forward.

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