Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced
that the Department of Transportation and Housing, and Urban Development (THUD)
Appropriations Subcommittee has approved $800,000 to the City of Niagara Falls
for a new transportation facility and various transportation upgrades. The
funding was approved as part of the Senate Appropriation process, and has been
included in the Department of Transportation and Housing, and Urban Development
Appropriations Bill. The bill was passed out of subcommittee and now will
need to be approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, after which it
will be sent to the Senate floor, and then to the president for
signature. Schumer and Gillibrand requested that the subcommittee include funding
for this project in the bill, and fought hard to ensure that it was
included. Clearing the subcommittee is the biggest hurdle in the
appropriations process.
“With millions of visitors flocking to Niagara Falls every year, it
makes perfect sense to invest in these transportation upgrades,” said
Schumer. “This funding will facilitate more efficient and effective
transportation for tourists, residents and freight and enhance safety and
security at the border.”
“This is the right investment for Western New York,” Senator Gillibrand
said. “Upgrading our rail infrastructure will help get more cars off the road,
cut emissions and improve the environment, while creating jobs and helping to
rebuild the economy. I will continue working with Senator Schumer to make sure
New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
The Niagara Falls International Railway Station/ Intermodal Transportation
Center Project involves the construction of a new transportation facility to
accommodate passenger rail and transit in the City of Niagara Falls. This
project includes railway infrastructure (track and bridge improvements) and
construction of a new terminal building and all other site improvements at the
Intermodal Transportation Center. The total cost of the project will be $16
million.
The railway upgrades will improve safety and maintain un-interrupted freight
rail movements across the border. The improvements entail the
construction of a 1,100 ft. dedicated passenger siding north of the existing
CSX main line tracks and the construction of new sidings and bridge work
necessary for proper rail operations. The new transportation center will
serve as a passenger station and intermodal center with connections to bus and
trolley operations.
Additionally, interior renovations to the Customhouse building will create
new and improved facilities for the Department of Homeland Security.
Relocation of the facility closer to the international border and the City’s
Main Street core will make cross-border customs, immigration and Homeland
Security operations safer and more efficient.
Now that the bill has been approved
by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, it will be sent to the full Senate
Appropriations Committee. Following approval by the Full Committee and the Senate,
the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President
for signature.