Press Release

Gillibrand Announces Key Senate Panel Approves $500,000 For Freight Rail And Transfer Facility At Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market

Jul 26, 2010

Washington, DCU.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today that the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee has approved $500,000 to help improve the freight rail and transfer facility at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the South Bronx. Senator Gillibrand worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.

Senator Gillibrand said, “Improving the rail system and transfer facility at Hunts Point Terminal Market will provide long-term benefits to the city. This additional federal investment in upgrading the freight infrastructure at the world’s largest food distribution center will improve efficiency, create good-paying jobs, and provide more fresh produce to communities.”

Federal funding towards the freight rail modernization project at Hunts Point Terminal Market will include safety and energy upgrades to improve the flow of goods through this premier hub. The project will stimulate the local economy by reducing production costs for wholesalers at the market who use rail delivery services. Over the next two decades following completion of the project, the upgrades will result in a doubling of annual railcar volume to 9,240, reducing almost 58 million annual truck miles and saving hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel costs.

Last week, the Appropriations Bill for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee passed the full committee. The legislation will head to the floor for a full vote before the Senate. The bill will then move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.