Albany-Schenectady 2nd Track Soon To Be Underway; Rochester To Get A New Train Station

Albany, NY June 26 2014 - The project to double-track the Albany-Schenectady route that is a huge bottleneck will soon be underway according to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The firm that’s been awarded the $83.1 million contract, Middlesex Companies of Littleton, Massachusetts, has successfully completed other projects for Amtrak such as the Niantic rail bridge replacement.

The extra track is expected to eliminate bottlenecks caused by the limited track time available for both passenger and freight operations. Construction might start this July.

In another recent development, a new parking lot that will be just to the north of the current Rensselaer complex is being suggested.

Rochester’s New Digs

Earlier in the day, NYSDOT announced that under a design-build construction contract, a new intermodal rail/bus transportation center will rise in Rochester, NY. The Pike Company, Inc., an experienced design-build firm based in Rochester, is the lead contractor.

Funding for the project includes a $15 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the Transportation Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, which was secured by Congresswoman Slaughter. Overall, the new center’s cost is pegged at less than $30 million for the design and construction of a new larger rail station. It will greatly improve station functionality and accessibility, reduce travel delays and enhance amenities for rail travelers. Under an agreement reached in 2012, Amtrak will continue to own and operate the station on the site of the existing Amtrak station located on 320 Central Ave. in Rochester.