The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will launch a $3.5 million engineering and environmental analysis that will pave the way to replace the Rochester Amtrak station with a new Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center that will integrate passenger rail together with bus transit and automobile transportation.

"The existing station, which is not handicapped accessible, was constructed 33 years ago and was designed to be temporary until a permanent station is built," said NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald. "This project is part of Governor Cuomo's economic development agenda: that by better connecting New York State through passenger rail we will be doing our part to rebuild New York's economy. A new intermodal transportation center will play a critical role in the region's and state's economy."

McDonald noted that new funding enhances an existing $1.5 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter. The Federal Railroad Administration amended the grant, increasing the total to $2.9 million, also thanks to Slaughter's efforts. NYSDOT is providing $600,000 in state funding, bringing the total to $3.5 million.

The existing Rochester Station, owned by Amtrak, was constructed in 1978 as a temporary facility. The building and platforms are not ADA compliant and have greatly deteriorated in the past decade. By fully funding the preliminary and environmental activities, this project will be ready to apply for final design or construction funds in the future.

This project will also provide improved connections to other modes of transportation, including the Greyhound/Trailways bus service and Rochester Regional Transit Service city buses and taxis.

The grant funds preliminary engineering and environmental work for the configuration of the track and platforms at the new Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center conducted by NYSDOT and project scoping and preliminary engineering activities for the Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center facility to be conducted by the City of Rochester.

NYSDOT and the City of Rochester will be working closely together, along with other project partners including Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, NY Trailways, Adirondack Trailways, Genesee Transportation Council and others.