Bringing high-speed rail to Western New York is one of Rep. Slaughter's highest priorities. The improvement of existing tracks and the creation of a third track dedicated to passenger rail will allow people to move efficiently back and forth across the Upstate region, improve commerce, generate new tourism opportunities and spark revitalization of Western New York for a generation to come.

Rep. Slaughter is founder and co-chair of the Bicameral Bipartisan Congressional High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus. This caucus of Senators and Representatives advocates for an improved high-speed and intercity passenger rail network that will reduce greenhouse emissions, clear clogged highways, and improve the flow of commerce and citizens across the United States.

Rep. Slaughter has repeatedly led meetings with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Congressional leaders, representatives from the New York Governor's office, the N.Y. Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, and CSX to bring high-speed rail to Western New York.

Over the years, Slaughter has secured millions of dollars to build a high-speed rail network in Western New York. In part, she has secured:

• $58.1 million for the final design and construction of an initial section of a dedicated third passenger track on the Empire Corridor in the Rochester area;
• $48.6 million for the design and construction of high-level platforms and track realignment at the Rochester passenger rail station to accommodate high-speed rail;
• $32.1 million for signal improvements along Niagara branch tracks, which run from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, Erie County;
• $22.4 million for rail infrastructure improvements required to relocate Amtrak’s Niagara Falls passenger station on Lockport Road to the renovated 1863 Customs House, located near the Whirlpool Bridge on Whirlpool Street in Niagara Falls;
• $6.1 million for improving safety of highway/railroad grade crossings at 22 locations on the Empire Corridor from Erie County east to Schenectady County; and
• $1.6 million for preliminary engineering of another section of a dedicated, third passenger track in Rochester.

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Rochester Intermodal Station Background

Rochester’s current Amtrak station, built on Central Avenue in 1978, was intended to be a temporary facility.  It lacks adequate ADA accessibility and is not constructed to support high-speed rail.  Congresswoman Slaughter is working closely with the FRA, City of Rochester, NY Governor’s office, NYSDOT, and Amtrak to build a new intermodal station that will house Amtrak, Greyhound and Trailways buses, and provide connectivity to RTS city buses, taxi and other modes of transportation.

Rochester Intermodal Station Funding

Congresswoman Slaughter is working to secure funding for the planning and design of the station, and its eventual construction.  Through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and the FY 11 THUD apropriations bills, the Congresswoman secured $4,040,555.