| 09/05/2007 |
| Hudson's station gets $6M upgrade |
| By: RICHARD ROTH |
RENSSELAER-As part of a $22-million commitment signed this week to create high-speed rail service and revitalize rail service in the state, Senator Steve Saland (R-41st) has announced $6 million for improvements at the Hudson Rail Station.
The announcement of the overall funding was made by Senator Joseph Bruno (R-43rd), majority leader of the state Senate, at a press conference Wednesday morning, September 5, at the Rensselaer Amtrak Station, which serves Albany and much of the Capital District. The funding includes $11 million for track improvements at the recently completed Rensselaer station.The New York State Senate High Speed Rail Task Force was established in 2005 to remedy the declining status of passenger rail service in the state. "This was a recommendation of our... task force," Senator Saland said Wednesday afternoon, commenting on the targets of the funding. The original recommendations from the task force included a two-part Action Program designed to improve rail service immediately and in the long-term. Phase A of the plan commits the $22 million. The $6 million for Hudson will allow passenger and freight trains to continue through without slowing down or stopping while a train is in the station. "What happens is you can have a rail traffic bottleneck [at Hudson] because of 'hold clear' if passenger train is at station," said Senator Saland. Though there are two sets of tracks and a siding at Hudson now, a "hold clear" signal at the station allows only one track to be used at a time. Freight and passenger trains are not allowed to pass while a train is being boarded. This causes delays and restricts flexibility in schedules. Mr. Saland said that the new funding will pay for an overhead walkway and a platform on the river side, improvements that will "allow trains to pass at opposite directions without having to be held if one is receiving or letting off passengers." Linda Mussmann, who chairs the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan Committee, said she would like to see detailed plans before commenting in detail on the upgrade. "I'm hoping we can have that connector to our waterfront," said Ms. Mussmann. "It would certainly enhance what we're doing with our waterfront plan." Work on the project is expected to begin in 2009, according to Mr. Saland, and is estimated to take one or two years. "It's a priority of the Senate to realize high speed rail, and this is the first component," said Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senator Bruno. Senator Saland, whose district includes all of Columbia and parts of Dutchess County, stressed the importance of rail service to the state's economy. He described the upgrades as a first-step in improving the reliability and speed of trains along the Hudson corridor. In addition to the overhead walkway, plans call for an elevator and platform on the river side of the tracks connecting to the station. Some track work and "reconfiguration" will be required. Mr. Saland said businesses are attracted to areas with reliable, flexible transportation, and he believes this plan brings the region closer to delivering that type of service. Senator Bruno, who represents Rensselaer and parts of Saratoga counties, was joined at his press conference by transportation and business leaders. In addition to the funds for the Hudson and Rensselaer stations, the plan designates $4 million to stabilize the rock slope under the George Washington Bridge to increase train speed and improve safety. "Today's important announcement makes good on the Senate's commitment to turn its task force's recommendations into action so we can end needless rail delays, increase the speed of travel and strengthen the region's economy," Mr. Bruno said in a release from his office. Ron Thaniel, Amtrak's director of government and communications, New York, expressed his organization's gratitude to Senator Bruno and the state for his "steadfast support of Amtrak and passenger rail." The $22 million in Senate funds were approved as part of the 2006-07 state budget and are being advanced as the result of a recent agreement between the Senate's High-Speed Rail Task Force and the state Department of Transportation. The initiatives mirror the recommendations of a report previously issued by the task force. Senator Saland said the state DOT did not act on the plan last year, but the memorandum of understanding between the agency and the Senate was signed within the last couple of weeks. A Senate source who asked not to be quoted directly said the reason for the delay "mostly is that the previous administration did not see this as much a priority as the Senate did," and that "things have moved considerably faster with the administration." The Rensselaer Station will get a fourth track with related signal work, which is intended to increase capacity and flexibility, and to reduce congestion. Platforms and canopies will be extended, and an existing building will be demolished. Approximately $1 million of the $22 million will be allocated pending the final approval of individual project scopes. To contact reporter Richard Roth e-mail rroth@IndeNews.com.
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