FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 1, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $25.5 MILLION IN RECOVERY FUNDS FOR MTA LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of $25.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) fund for the construction of a train wash facility. A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) project, the a new state-of-the-art facility will be located in Babylon and help to maintain the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) electronic fleet.
"This is a good example of a recovery project with short-term and long term benefits. Besides the boost from spending to build the facility now, its green design will save money and water. And keeping railroad cars clean means they will last longer, reducing replacement costs," Governor Paterson said. "I thank President Obama and our entire Congressional Delegation for their support of these economic recovery funds that help to reinvigorate the economy, put people back to work and improve the quality of our transportation systems throughout the State."
The $25.5 million project will fund the construction a new train wash in Babylon, replacing an outdated facility located at the same site that has since been demolished. The new train wash will incorporate green elements in its operation, including roof-mounted solar panels, recycling wash water, and a system to treat excess wastewater prior to disposal in the municipal sewer system. The project addresses the LIRR's critical need for a second train wash dedicated to the electric fleet. Today, the train wash in Ronkonkoma yard is the only facility dedicated to the electric fleet.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "This funding is great news for Long Island and LIRR riders. Investing money in public transportation infrastructure projects, such as this one, will not only create jobs and boost the local economy, it will improve the commutes for thousands of Long Islanders."
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: "This is the right investment for Long Island. These federal dollars will help improve critical infrastructure, create jobs and help rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."
Assemblyman Phil Boyle said: "This is exactly the type of green initiative that the federal stimulus moneys should fund."
MTA Interim Executive Director and LIRR President Helena Williams said: "This federal stimulus funding is being put right to work in a project that will result in real improvements for LIRR customers. The new Babylon Train Wash comes with the promise of cleaner trains and a cleaner environment."
The economic recovery funds New York will receive for transportation projects must follow the same process required for distributing all federal transportation funds. The money is allocated to projects that are selected by the 13 regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) across the State, which are composed of local elected officials, local transit operators and NYSDOT representatives. MPOs vote unanimously on projects for their Transportation Improvement Program, and the projects are then eligible to receive economic recovery funds.
Similarly, regions of New York State without MPOs are served by NYSDOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The department worked with local officials and the Governor's Economic Recovery Cabinet to identify priority shovel-ready projects eligible for recovery funds. For more information, please visit: http://recovery.ny.gov/ .