| New York and Amtrak Resolve Empire Corridor High-Speed Rail Project Dispute |
 New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn and Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander K. Kummant today announced the resolution of their contract disputes and related federal court litigation over a former New York State Department of Transportation program to develop high-speed passenger rail service from New York City to the Capital District using RTL Turboliner trains from Amtrak.
Under the terms of the settlement, Amtrak will pay New York State $20 million. In addition, New York and Amtrak will jointly invest $10 million in infrastructure improvement projects on the Albany–New York City Empire Corridor as approved by the New York State Senate High-Speed Rail Task Force.
One of the track improvements is planned near the George Washington Bridge and will improve service and enhance safety in this rail corridor. The work also will reduce travel times and should save New York rail passengers 2.6 million passenger-minutes per year. Currently, Amtrak operates weekday and weekend service on the Empire Corridor, with up to 13 departures per day, using predominantly Amfleet passenger rail equipment.
"A reliable, efficient passenger rail system is critical to tourism and robust economic development across New York State," Gov. Eliot Spitzer said. "This agreement puts to rest a long-standing dispute and enables the State and Amtrak to move forward cooperatively to improve passenger rail service and the state's rail infrastructure."
Amtrak President Kummant said, "This settlement now allows both Amtrak and the State of New York to concentrate on the improvements to rail service that I know our Board and Governor Spitzer desire to achieve in New York."
|
| |
| article rating | Average Score: 3.33
Votes: 3
|
|
