(The Associated Press circulated the following on March 10, 2009.)
RENSSELAER, N.Y. — Gov. David A. Paterson announced a 20-year, $10.7-billion plan to improve the state’s freight and passenger rail service.
The plan announced yesterday at the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station includes high-speed passenger train service between Niagara Falls and Albany.
Paterson made the announcement surrounded by lawmakers who have been pushing for federal funding for a high-speed rail line.
The plan will be partly funded through the state’s share of the $9.3 billion set aside in the federal stimulus package for railroad projects across the nation, Paterson said.
Supporters of high-speed trains say improved passenger train service would boost the struggling upstate economy.