CDTA to Investigate Railway Development: Two New Studies to Focus on Creating Commuter System
By Cathy Woodruff, Albany Times Union, N.Y.
Sep. 5–ALBANY — Two new studies that will examine prospects for light rail in the Capital Region and who should control existing rail lines used by passenger trains are poised to go forward.
The Capital District Transportation Authority board last week gave the nod for a state task force to start the two studies, which could cost up to $1.3 million.
CDTA holds the administrative contract for the New York State Senate High-Speed Rail Task Force. The task force was created in 2005 by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno with $5 million in state funding and a mandate to find ways to improve upstate train travel.
CDTA handles the task force payroll and provides administrative services, such as legal expertise and contract approval.
The light rail study will likely pick up where a previous study administered by CDTA, which explored options for commuter rail in the region, left off, said James Cartin, a project manager for CDTA and the task force.
In June 2001, CDTA pulled the plug on work toward establishing a commuter rail link between Albany and Saratoga Springs, saying the potential price tag would far exceed the funding available.
The agency’s exploratory work was funded by a $5.3 million federal grant secured by then-Rep. Gerald Solomon in 1998.
Though light rail was one way touted for making the commuter service happen, the planning never reached a point where the feasibility was established.
Since then, light rail — more akin to old trolley cars than today’s passenger trains — has been mentioned in other potential contexts, including connections from a privately redeveloped Harriman State Office Campus to downtown Albany.
“Some of the circumstances have changed” since commuter rail or light rail was last explored, Cartin said.
There may now be additional corridors available for transportation improvements, he said.
The “unity of control” study will focus on issues surrounding ownership of the tracks and other infrastructure used by Amtrak passenger trains, particularly between Poughkeepsie and Schenectady, Cartin said.
To a large extent, the tracks are owned and controlled by the CSX freight railroad, but previous state studies by the High Speed Rail Task Force and others have recommended substantial improvements to that infrastructure.
The question that raises, he said, is “if you are going to make those substantial investments, how are you going to control the use of the asset?” Woodruff can be reached at 454-5093 or by e-mail at cwoodruff@timesunion.com.
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