CSX, Amtrak New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration reached an agreement that allows $91.2 million to be released for double tracking between Albany to Schenectady, NY and $58.1 million for the Empire Corridor.

"High-speed rail is a key to upstate New York's economic future, and that future starts today," said Sen. Charles Schumer. "I pushed the parties to reach an agreement so that we could put hammer to nail and get these projects rolling down the tracks. I'm thrilled that everyone has signed off on this deal and can't wait to see the construction begin. We're going to create jobs and modernize our rail infrastructure that is going to be key to bringing even more jobs and economic opportunity to the Empire State."

The projects receiving funding appear below:

Albany - Schenectady Second Main Track -- $91.2 million
The 17-mile corridor between Albany and Schenectady, NY, includes construction of double track, upgrades made to an existing controlled siding on the Empire Corridor, reconstruction of four interlockings, installation of two new interlockings, relocation of switches, signal system improvements, installation of signals for the second track, trenching/burying signal and power wires, correction of identified track deficiencies necessary to restore the existing track to a state of good repair, the repair/rehabilitation of 16 bridges, the potential replacement of one bridge, possible culvert repair/rehabilitation, improvements to three grade crossings and the installation of four-quadrant crossing gate warning devices at each crossing.

Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady Fourth Track/Station Improvements - $58.1 million
Overall benefits for this project include increased schedule reliability, reduced congestion and interference between freight and passenger trains and increased capacity and efficiency, resulting in less delay and improved intercity passenger rail operations in this segment of the Empire Corridor.