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January 29, 2010

Bombardier welcomes high-speed rail investment

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — Bombardier Transportation officials say the $151 million in stimulus funding for high-speed rail in New York represents "a historic step forward."

President Barack Obama announced the money this week as part of $8 billion that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

It provides $147 million for projects in the South and West Empire Corridors, $3 million for improvements to the Adirondack Corridor and $1 million for planning for the Empire Corridor.

'NEXT GENERATION'
Bombardier Transportation Vice President Robert Furniss said the company is still reviewing details, but it supports the administration's overall vision for high-speed rail corridors.

"This announcement marks a historic step forward for the U.S. in building its next-generation transportation network, where high-speed passenger rail, in concert with other modes, offers near and long-term solutions for job creation, global competitiveness and quality of life," he said in a statement.

Furniss said the rail policy must be consistent, compatible and competitive.

Consistent long-term investments and compatibility to ensure seamless integration from one mode of travel to the next — from road to rail to air service — are keys, he said, and competitiveness must drive the process.

"This will ensure open markets, and competitive bids can cultivate a growing industry of manufacturers and suppliers to create and sustain good jobs," Furniss said, "while providing the U.S. public with high-tech, higher-speed passenger rail options that so many others around the globe take for granted."

READY FOR ROLE
Furniss said Bombardier is well-positioned to support those efforts, with its experience with Amtrak's Acela Express and high-speed trains in Europe and China.

The company already has more than 8,000 employees in place in 19 states and the District of Columbia. That includes three manufacturing facilities and a network of maintenance and service sites.

KEY RAIL CENTER
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said the North Country is positioned to benefit because of the Bombardier final assembly plant in Plattsburgh.

"All of this investment in passenger rail service is important, as we are a center for rail-equipment manufacturing in North America," he said.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said it was great news for New York.

"Building high-speed rail here will connect more commuters and businesses, create jobs immediately and help rebuild our economy for the long term," she said in a press release.

"This round of funding is just the first step in our efforts to secure what New York needs to achieve true high-speed rail connectivity. I will keep fighting to make sure New York gets more high-speed-rail funding in future rounds."

MOVE QUICKLY
New York Gov. David Paterson said improving intercity passenger rail service is critical to economic recovery and development of those regions.

"These funds will allow us to eliminate bottlenecks, modernize stations and improve passenger service from Albany to Niagara Falls and from Albany to northern New York and Montreal.

"I have directed the (New York) State Department of Transportation to expedite the projects funded today so that we can quickly put New Yorkers to work."

TRACK UPGRADES
Douglas said the $3 million for the Adirondack Corridor is part of what the Quebec-New York Corridor Coalition and the High Speed Rail New York Coalition has advocated. It is for 2.27 miles of a third line near Ballston Spa used by Amtrak's Adirondack (New York to Montreal) and Ethan Allen Express (New York to Rutland, Vt.) services, which is expected to improve reliability and on-time service.

"The inclusion of $3 million for needed track improvements in our Adirondack corridor is very welcome news for our region," he said.

"It would have been easy for all the attention in New York to go to the Empire Corridor to Buffalo, but we see this as clear recognition that our state has two important rail corridors, and that means our advocacy efforts are working."

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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