Schumer Announces NYS DOT to Receive Over $7.9 Million for Higher-Speed Intercity Rail Project on Hudson Line; Investment Will Improve Signal Reliability, Efficiency for Commuters

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Railway Administration, has obligated $7.913 million of the Fiscal Year 2010 funding to the New York State Department of Transportation for its NY Hudson Subdivision Signal Reliability Project. In September, Schumer pushed for a deal between CSX, Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railway Administration, in which they reached the necessary agreements to move forward with rail projects across the state, such as this one. Specifically, this project will bury a stretch of signal system cables that are currently above ground along the Hudson Line between Hyde Park and Red Hook. This route carries 26 Amtrak passenger trains per day, and this project will improve signal reliability and train operations, and speed the commutes of hundreds of New Yorkers.

"Higher-speed rail travel is a key to New York's economic future, and these upgrades are great news for the passengers traveling along the Hudson Line each day," said Schumer. "I am thrilled we helped reach an agreement reached between all the major higher-speed rail players last month. With this investment, the state DOT will be able to bury signal cables along the Hudson Line between Hyde Park and Red Hook, and increase reliability, efficiency for the hundreds of New Yorkers commuting each day. I will continue to push for investments in New York's transportation system that so greatly improve our local economy and the daily lives of residents."

The New York Department of Transportation will use the FRA funding to support the NY Hudson Subdivision Signal Reliability Project. The NYS DOT will use this investment to bury a stretch of the signal system's cables that are currently mounted on poles. This project will take place along the Hudson Line between Hyde Park and Red Hook, which carries 26 Amtrak passenger trains per day. Burying the signal cables will create a more reliable signal system along this section of the Hudson Subdivision, which will allow for more reliable train operations and decrease signal maintenance and repair costs. This project was selected for funding in October 2010.

Schumer noted that signal outages from the existing above ground signal wires has lead to train delay, a reduction in average operating speed over the line, degradation in Amtrak on-time performance and a reduction in the train capacity of the line. A great delays on this segment of the Hudson Line are due to outages associated with the above ground signals. Operating safety is reduced by the occurrences of signal outages. In addition, signal system maintenance and repair costs are increased and schedule reliability and locomotive fuel efficiency are reduced due to signal outages.

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