Thanks to the efforts of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, New York was recently allocated an additional $7.3 million in high-speed rail funding.
The funding was a portion of the stimulus money originally awarded to Ohio and Wisconsin for building high-speed rail systems. The newly elected governors of these two states chose to turn down this money, leaving it in the hands of the Department of Transportation.
“If other states don’t want their high-speed rail money, New York will take it because we understand that high-speed rail is an essential element to our transportation system and a good rail system is an important element of our national security,” said Slaughter. She reached out to the U.S. D.O.T. Deputy Secretary John Porcari and U.S. D.O.T. Secretary Ray LaHood, with whom she had previously collaborated on high-speed rail.
The D.O.T allocated the surplus money to 13 states. New York ranked fourth amongst these states, receiving twice the amount of funding that was given to Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa and Indiana.
“I’ve been advocating for this extra money for New York for months,” said Slaughter. “I’m delighted that New York is able to take advantage of this additional stimulus money to build high-speed passenger rail stretching across the state.”
Slaughter has made high-speed rail a priority in her work. She hopes these efforts will lead to improvements to existing rail and the addition of a third track for passenger trains. This, in turn, would result in more efficient travel and an increase in commerce and tourism potential.
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com