President Biden s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan calls for $80 billion in rail improvements, offering the best chance in decades to make passenger trains run faster and more reliably between Albany and Niagara Falls.Â
But an oft-delayed, 11-year high-speed rail study by the state Department of Transportation isn t due to be completed until spring 2022. Without the study, passenger train advocates fear New York State won t be able to take full advantage of the geyser of rail dollars expected later this year.Â
Their frustration comes as they watch Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo push along other projects.
âIf the Skyway had to get done, it got done. If the Exchange Street train station had to get done, it got done,â said Bruce Becker, the Empire State Passenger Association s communication director. I have no doubt that if the administration saw this was a priority and put political pressure to bear it could be wrapped up very quickly. Â
50 years later, Amtrak s future is suddenly bright
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Amtrak Turboliner Train at Rensselaer Station, New York. July 22, 1976 (Times Union Archive)Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
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A New York City destined Amtrak train waits at the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Rensselaer, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times UnionShow MoreShow Less
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Interior of Amtrak Turbo Train. Rensselaer. July 23, 1976 (Times Union Archive)Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
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Line for Amtrak ticket counter in Rensselaer, New York train station. November 10, 1981 (Raymond B. Summers/Times Union Archive)Raymond B. Summers/Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
Downtown Hartford apartment building 777 Main St. has partnered with San Francisco-based carshare company Getaround, which now has three vehicles on the property available for short-term rentals.
Developer Bruce Becker, who converted 777 Main St. from office space into a 285-unit residential building, said the deal with Getaround places three cars a Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in three desirable parking spots across from the Old State House building. It is a program that I think will be great for our own residents and also for the larger community of downtown Hartford residents and beyond, Becker said Wednesday morning.