UPDATED: N. Y. Gov. Patterson to make rail announcement this morning

Should come at 9  A. M. Central Time. We will update.

UPDATE: Gov Patterson Calls it Third Rail Initiative.

Trains up to 110 mph. (wow, that’s ambitious!)

Cites 4% increase in routism next year.

Sen. Schumer is speaking. Summary follows.

Unclog traffic bottleneck. Cites high air fares in upstate NY.

NY is uniquely ready. Dense population and moderate distances between cities. Too close for economic air travel. Higher speed rail connects high tech centers in NY.

Don’t have to purchase new right-of-way. Will use existing track. Will save billions and speed ability to build. (where have we heard this before?)

Add fourth track in Albany. Second track between Albany-Schenectady. More parking in Rochester. Upgrade parking in Buffalo. Rock Wall at George Washington bridge. (sorry about spelling.)

State DOT

first state rail program in 22 years.

Take one hour off Ny- to Buffalo.

increase freight volume by 25%

Rep. Slaughter

cites transportation difficulties into Albany.

(I took these notes listening “live” to the streaming feed. I trust the facts are straight and spelling passable. Pat Lynch)

UPDATE 2: here is the link to the lates AP coverage

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (AP) – New York officials have announced a 20-year, $10.7 billion plan to improve the state’s freight and passenger rail service.

Filed under: Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail