Governor Kathy Hochul has announced more than $101 million in state funding to support 25 rail and port infrastructure projects across New York, a major investment aimed at strengthening freight mobility, improving system resiliency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide.
The funding is being awarded through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP) and will modernize key freight rail lines and port facilities that serve as vital trade corridors for New York’s economy. Projects span all regions of the state and focus on track and bridge rehabilitation, capacity expansion, procurement of cleaner rail equipment, and upgrades at freight yards and seaport facilities.
“New York’s freight rail network is vital to our economy, and these investments represent a downpayment on a greener, safer and more productive state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is a national leader in freight rail, which is a fuel-efficient method to transport goods throughout the state and across the country. Investing in key freight infrastructure is a step forward in reducing New York’s emissions while modernizing our rail system.”
Among the projects receiving funding are $1.7 million to connect a grain facility to the Finger Lakes Railway in Waterloo, $3.2 million to establish direct rail access to the South Buffalo Railroad at a facility in Lackawanna, $4.6 million for bridge and track rehabilitation on the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, and $1.6 million for rail infrastructure improvements in Sangerfield to enhance access to domestic and international markets.
Two state entities — the New York City Department of Small Business Services (NYCSBS) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) — each received two $10 million grants. NYCSBS will use its funding to develop a fully electrified maritime hub at Hunts Point and to rehabilitate Pier 10 at the Red Hook Container Terminal. LIRR’s awards will fund upgrades to the Fresh Pond Yard Bridge and the English Kills Bridge to meet modern loading and clearance standards and accommodate future freight growth.
The PFRAP program, administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, supports projects that improve freight safety, service reliability, and economic competitiveness while advancing climate resilience. Project selections were made through a competitive process that evaluated benefit-cost analyses, regional economic alignment, safety improvements, coordination with other investments, and climate risk reduction.
Eligible improvements include track and bridge rehabilitation, yard and siding construction, clearance upgrades, port and bulkhead reconstruction, dredging, grade crossing resurfacing, material handling facilities, and safety-enhancing technologies designed to reduce emissions and strengthen freight efficiency.
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Freight rail and port infrastructure is critical to New York’s global footprint while providing cost-effective solutions to getting goods to market quickly and efficiently. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s commitment to advancing our rail and port capabilities, New York is making crucial infrastructure investments that will help the state remain competitive as an economic leader while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Assemblymember Magnarelli added, “I’m pleased to see these important investments in New York’s rail and port infrastructure. Our freight rail network in New York is a vital component not only in the State’s commerce system, but also our national system, getting goods where they need to go and keeping unnecessary traffic off our roads.”
State officials say the projects will improve safety, reduce truck congestion, support manufacturing and agricultural producers, create jobs, and ensure New York’s freight network remains resilient and competitive well into the future.
Originally Reported by Governor New York Government.
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