Renewed Push For Federal Funds To Improve Metro-North Grade Crossings

GARRISON, NY — Politicians and officials descended on tiny Manitou Station in Garrison to announce a renewed push for federal funding to improve safety at grade crossings on Metro-North Railroad.

Standing with community leaders, union members, train safety advocates and local officials on Friday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched his two-track plan to make the Hudson Valley safer for commuters, drivers, pedestrians, first responders, and railroad employees.

Metro-North crossings across the Hudson Valley have been notorious sites for hundreds of car accidents, Schumer pointed out — saying local officials tell him many near-accidents constantly go unreported. Now, with the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act passed, which includes over $9 billion in federal rail safety funding, it is time to get long overdue investments Hudson Valley communities have sought back on track, he said.

Saying "we will never forget" the grade crossing tragedy in Valhalla seven years ago, Schumer said more is needed to be done faster.

The Feb. 3, 2015, accident in Valhalla involved an SUV at the Commerce Street crossing and a Metro-North commuter train. It killed five train passengers and the driver of the SUV, plus 13 people were injured when, around 6:30 p.m. the packed northbound train smashed into the 2011 Mercedes Benz ML350 that had driven into its path.

Schumer pointed out that the federal government contributed $4 million to Metro-North's new project to improve five grade crossings in Dutchess and Putnam counties, including Manitou.

"But we can’t let progress idle, which is why I am calling on the feds to get all aboard with my two-track plan to increase rail safety funding and fast track long overdue projects to keep commuters, workers and residents safe," he said. "My plan would invest over $100 million to put in place common sense and widely desired measures for Hudson Valley families, drivers, and commuters. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law to passage, it was desperately needed community investments like this that I had in mind. It is time to fast track these improvements and get the Hudson Valley residents the increased rail safety they deserve."

Schumer was joined by Putnam County Legislator Nancy Montgomery, the wife of Jim Lovell, a 58-year father of four among those killed in the 2014 Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North derailment; Assemblywoman Sandy Galef; Cold Spring Mayor Kathleen E. Foley; New Castle Town Administrator Jill Simon Shapiro; New Castle Police Chief James D. Carroll; Association of Commuter Rail Employees Local Chairperson (Hudson) Christopher Duffy; and Putnam County representative to the MTA Board Neal Zuckerman.

The other four grade crossings being worked on are in Dutchess County, including three in Pawling — Main Street, South Street and the Pawling Station pedestrian walkway — and the Bank Street crossing in Chelsea. The projects are slated for completion at the end of 2025.

"Metro-North applauds Senate Majority Leader Schumer, always a champion for mass transit, for delivering funds that will be used to upgrade grade crossings throughout the Hudson Valley," said MTA Spokesperson Michael Cortez. "There is no priority higher at the railroad than safety, and once complete, these crossings will keep both riders and pedestrians out of harm’s way.”

SEE ALSO:

• Peekskill Wins $2M For Metro-North's Hudson Avenue Crossing
• Metro-North Receives Federal Grant For At-Grade Crossing Safety
• Dealing With Metro-North Grade Crossings In Mount Pleasant
• Grant for Metro-North Grade Crossing in Chappaqua
• Deadly Train Crash Puts the Spotlight on Metro-North's Recent Woes