Syracuse Sun

Congressman Brandon Williams is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to prioritize the expansion and improvement of passenger rail efficiency in and around Syracuse. In a letter sent to the governor, Williams emphasized the need to address issues such as a three-track bottleneck for freight and passenger rail on the Empire Corridor and truck hits under the two-track Park Street rail bridge.

Williams highlighted the importance of preparing the rail network for increased traffic, especially with the anticipation of Micron building a large chip manufacturing plant near Syracuse. He pointed out that improvements outlined in the Federal Railroad Administration’s 90B Service Development Plan could facilitate stops at the New York State Fairgrounds and enhance freight shipments to and from the Micron plant.

Acknowledging the significance of Williams' advocacy, Executive Director Steve Strauss of the Empire State Passengers Association expressed appreciation for the congressman's efforts in accelerating the state's passenger rail improvement program in Central New York.

In his letter to Governor Hochul, Williams emphasized the opportunity presented by the FRA’s inclusion of the Empire Corridor in the Corridor Identification and Development program. He urged the governor to prioritize Syracuse area projects in the state’s rail improvement plan to take advantage of upcoming passenger rail discretionary grant opportunities.