Gillibrand, Schumer Deliver $107.7 Million For Metro-North Upgrades Along The Harlem Line

Grant Was Made Possible By The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law That Gillibrand and Schumer Fought To Pass

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced $107,712,000 in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding to eliminate a busy railroad crossing along Metro-North’s Harlem Line in New Castle, removing a crash hazard for local drivers and train passengers. The project will replace the existing ground-level intersection with a new roadway overpass, separating vehicular traffic from train tracks. Once complete, the new overpass will eliminate collision risks between cars and trains, reduce traffic delays, and improve daily commutes. Gillibrand personally wrote to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to advocate for this critical funding.

“I am proud to deliver this critical $107 million federal investment to eliminate a dangerous rail crossing on Metro-North’s Harlem Line,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment, which is a direct result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will improve  safety and reduce commute delays, helping to keep people moving in New Castle. I will keep fighting to ensure New York’s transit networks have the resources they need to serve New Yorkers.”

“A whopping $107 million in federal funding is on track to make major safety improvements in Westchester County in New Castle and Chappaqua! I’m proud to deliver this award from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to finally move forward the safety upgrades needed for the notorious Roaring Brook Road crossing in New Castle. The new overpass will eliminate the potential for accidents and ensure people and passengers can travel safely around the crossing,” said Senator Schumer. “Four years ago, I stood in Garrison alongside local leaders, first responders, railroad officials, and families who were affected by these tragic rail crossing collisions and promised to deliver federal investment in making rail crossings across the Hudson Valley safer. I fought to deliver $3 million last year to create preliminary designs, to lay the groundwork for this new major federal investment, and ensure the safety of our Hudson Valley Metro-North commuters, rail workers, pedestrians, and drivers. This is a major step forward toward putting into place effective measures that will reduce life-threatening collisions in high-risk areas.”

The funding will carry the Roaring Brook Road project through its final design phase, necessary property purchases, and full construction. Currently, the street-level crossing sees more than 9,000 vehicles and 107 passenger trains every day.

The Crossing Safety/Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program at the FRA, which is providing this funding, was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in 2021. RCE funds highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. This program invests in railroad infrastructure projects that will reduce accidents, support economic vitality that will create good-paying jobs, strengthen supply chains, and apply innovative technology.

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