Today,
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that both
houses of Congress have passed the FY 2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill which
includes $779,000 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.
Schumer and Gillibrand requested that the final bill include funding for this
project and fought hard to ensure that it was included. The funding was
included as part of the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bill
passed the House last week and the Senate over the weekend and now awaits the
President’s signature.
“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.
The appropriation was
originally included in the Senate FY2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban
Development Appropriations Bill. Last week that bill was combined with 5 other
appropriations bill into the FY 2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The
omnibus bill passed the House last week and the Senate over the weekend.