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Breaking Ground For A New Train Station In Rochester

Artist's render of the new permanent train station.
NYSDOT
Artist's render of the new permanent train station.

Federal and state officials gathered at Rochester's Amtrak station Tuesday to announce that construction is starting on a new station at that North Clinton Avenue location.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter says the station will replace a facility which is not meeting the needs of the 140,000 or more passengers that use that facility every year, especially those with disabilities.

"For all the people in this community who use wheelchairs and for babies in strollers we are finally going to be able to make it easier for them to ride. "

State transportation commissioner Joan McDonald says this is a vital part of transportation in Upstate New York.

"This station is a key link in the upstate rail network. And when it's completed, it will improve reliability of rail service by reducing delays for both passengers and freight trains and will provide better accessibility to trains for passengers."

The new station will be 30 percent larger than the existing station, and seating will go up by 13 seats to 133.  The design of the new station is inspired by the work of the architect of the original station, Claude Bragdon.  That 1914-era station was demolished in 1965.

Some minor site work is beginning now, with the main construction work to start next spring. The project is expected to be completed in 2017.  The nearly $30 million facility is funded  in part through a federal grant.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.