HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmpire Service - RR1220 Washington Avenue, State Campus, Albany, New York 12232
August 20, 1979
~ NEW YORK STATE
DEPARTMENT~F TRANSPORTATION
William C. Hennessy, Commissioner
~OVVN OF SOUTHOLD
Albert W. Martocchia, Supervisor
Town of Southold
PO Box 728
S. Uthoid, NY 11971
Dear Mr. Martocchia:
In 1974, New York State faced a major crisis - its rail network was
falling into disrepair; railroad companies were involved in bankruptcy;
and federal planners designing a new Northeast rail network were calling
for the abandonment of 639 miles of track within the State. If nothing
had been done, rail service would have been virtually destroyed with
irreparable damage done to the economy of the State.
To meet this challenge, the people of New York voted to furnish $250
million, in the form of bonds, to ensure the preservation of essential
rail services. This program has been successful. Essential freight
services have been maintained; not one New York State business was lost
due to a lack of rail transportation. The quality of intercity passenger
service has not only been maintained but, because of the comitment
of the State, has been improved with the addition of modern, reliable
equipment, extended service and - this Fall - institution of the
nation's first high-speed rail service.
What originated as stop-gap measures has blossomed into an economic
shot in the arm for New York State. In addition to maintaining rail
services, improvements provided by Bond funds have so enhanced the
attractiveness of the State to rail-dependent businesses that many have
located new plants in the State or invested in the expansion of the
existing plants.
Having halted and reversed the decline of our fuel-efficient rail
network, we must continue that momentum with further investments to
increase the capacity of the system. For this reason, the Governor
and the Legislature have recommended the Energy Conservation Through
Improved Transportation Bond Act of 1979 to the voters of New York
State. This Act will provide $400 ~illion to be used on mass transit
and railroad improvements and $100 million to correct the very serious
problem of rapidly deteriorating county, town and village roads. When
combined with Federal, local and private money, the Bond Act will provide
nearly one billion dollars to invest in energy-conserving transportation
projects.
This Bond is of particular importance to all the communities of New York
since it provides for the continued repair and improvement of the State's
entire rail network. It will make possible further track improvements
in the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse-Utica corridor, across the Southern
Tier and in the Syracuse-Watertown-Massena corridor; it will improve
service on the branchlines and shortlines that are the transportation
life lines of many businesses in New York; it will provide further
improvements in Amtrak passenger service by rehabilitating additional
stations, removing speed restrictions and extending the high-speed
"Empire Service".
To inform you about the Energy Conservation Through Improved Transportation
Bond we have included material explaining what the program will accomplish
and answering a number of questions about the Bond Act. To assist further
in explaining the bond program, we would be pleased to meet with you or your
group. Please write or call Mr. Edward Malia of Bond Information Task Force
at (518) 457-1903 to work out the scheduling.
Public approval of the proposed Bond Act is essential if we are to
continue improvements to our rail system which will insure the economic
growth and social progress of New York State.
We need your support. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Commissioner
enc.