IDA moves forward to repair NYS&W tracks
NORWICH – The Chenango County Industrial Development Agency took another step last week in the long process of trying to revitalize the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway through the towns of Greene, Oxford, Norwich and North Norwich to Sherburne.
The agency adopted a resolution declaring that restoring the tracks for transit service would not have any significant, adverse environmental impact. The move is required by law in order to accept state transportation funding and also to apply for a federal economic development grant for disaster areas.
The project will require no substantial changes to existing structures nor facilities, the resolution states. IDA Counsel James Downey recommended that the agency send notification to all involved townships and other parties along the right-of-way that their will be no new construction outside of the existing footprint of the line.
New York State Department Of Transportation’s funding for 12 miles was previously granted. Commerce Chenango Economic Development Director Jennifer Tavares said the IDA will leverage the DOT miles to achieve 80 percent of the federal funding needed for the overall project. In this way, the entire 45.54 miles of track through may be restored to service.
Estimates to repair the full line are approximately $6 million. The Chenango County IDA previously applied to the state for the full amount, but was granted only $770,000 from the NYSDOT. The federal application now being pursued is for $4.7 million. The NYS&W would be responsible to pay 10 percent of the total project cost. The agency also has a commitment from the state labor department for $200,000 for work crews.
The goal of the proposed project is to create an efficient rail transit system for 25 mph freight speeds, more than double the current allowable maximum speed of 10 mph, Tavares said.
The NYS&W Railway abandoned the portion of line from Greene to Sherburne in 2006 citing underutilization. It had been severely damaged during heavy rainfall in 2004 and again during the 100-year flood in 2006. The railroad currently operates from New Jersey to Binghamton, through to Syracuse, over to Utica and makes runs from Utica to Sherburne and back.
The IDA recently extended its lease agreement with the railroad for another year. It owns title to the portion of the right-of-way that passes through Chenango County and leases it back to the Cooperstown-based railroad as part of a Payment In Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, that has been in effect since 2002. The PILOT is up for renewal next year.
In turn, the NYS&W, is exempt from paying real property taxes. The arrangement was made back in the 1980s as a way to preserve local rail service.
The agency adopted a resolution declaring that restoring the tracks for transit service would not have any significant, adverse environmental impact. The move is required by law in order to accept state transportation funding and also to apply for a federal economic development grant for disaster areas.
The project will require no substantial changes to existing structures nor facilities, the resolution states. IDA Counsel James Downey recommended that the agency send notification to all involved townships and other parties along the right-of-way that their will be no new construction outside of the existing footprint of the line.
New York State Department Of Transportation’s funding for 12 miles was previously granted. Commerce Chenango Economic Development Director Jennifer Tavares said the IDA will leverage the DOT miles to achieve 80 percent of the federal funding needed for the overall project. In this way, the entire 45.54 miles of track through may be restored to service.
Estimates to repair the full line are approximately $6 million. The Chenango County IDA previously applied to the state for the full amount, but was granted only $770,000 from the NYSDOT. The federal application now being pursued is for $4.7 million. The NYS&W would be responsible to pay 10 percent of the total project cost. The agency also has a commitment from the state labor department for $200,000 for work crews.
The goal of the proposed project is to create an efficient rail transit system for 25 mph freight speeds, more than double the current allowable maximum speed of 10 mph, Tavares said.
The NYS&W Railway abandoned the portion of line from Greene to Sherburne in 2006 citing underutilization. It had been severely damaged during heavy rainfall in 2004 and again during the 100-year flood in 2006. The railroad currently operates from New Jersey to Binghamton, through to Syracuse, over to Utica and makes runs from Utica to Sherburne and back.
The IDA recently extended its lease agreement with the railroad for another year. It owns title to the portion of the right-of-way that passes through Chenango County and leases it back to the Cooperstown-based railroad as part of a Payment In Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, that has been in effect since 2002. The PILOT is up for renewal next year.
In turn, the NYS&W, is exempt from paying real property taxes. The arrangement was made back in the 1980s as a way to preserve local rail service.
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