U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Nearly $150 Million
for New York Empire Corridor

U.S.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $149.3 million for the New York State
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to upgrade high-speed and intercity passenger rail service on
the Empire Corridor. The improvements will increase capacity and reliability, while reducing delays
and travel time on several Amtrak routes, including the Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple
Leaf, Adirondack, and Ethan Allen Express.

“These unprecedented investments, using American made materials, will improve passenger travel
while creating good-paying jobs,” said Secretary LaHood. “President Obama’s bold vision for
passenger rail will change transportation in New York and the United States, helping relieve
congestion on our roadways and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

A first grant, for $91.2 million, will allow NYSDOT to add a 17-mile second mainline track between
the Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady stations. The existing single track causes significant
delays, requiring trains to wait up to 26 minutes for the rail line to clear when another train is
traveling in the opposing direction.  Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2012.

A second grant, for $58.1 million, will fund track and platform improvements at the Albany-
Rensselaer and Schenectady stations, as well as the relocation of signal wires on the Hudson Line,
which have been prone to outages.  These improvements will result in greater reliability and
on-time performance, more flexibility in train schedules and reduced congestion between freight and
passenger trains.  The Schenectady Station improvements are part of a downtown revitalization
program.  Improvements to both stations are expected to begin in late summer
2012.

“Through the cooperation and diligence of NYSDOT and Amtrak, working with CSX, rail partners are
coming together to deliver improved service,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. 
“Passengers will see a reduction in delays and better reliability as a result of this additional
rail capacity in Central New York.”

Thirty-two states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia are currently laying the foundation
for high-speed rail corridors to link Americans with faster and more energy- efficient travel options. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and annual appropriations have provided $10.1 billion to put America on track towards providing new and expanded rail access to communities and improving the reliability, speed, and frequency of existing service.