High-Speed Rail Will Move Us Into The Future

From the Desk of Assemblyman John Ceretto

March 23, 2011

Dear Editor:

I write in response to two recent articles in your newspaper describing plans to bring high-speed rail to Niagara Falls. As your assemblyman, I am in full support of this investment in our local economy, including the jobs and commerce fast trains will bring to Western New York. As a tourist destination and international link, Niagara Falls is a wonderful addition to the new transportation vision for New York State. We sit along the 462-mile Empire Corridor, and, by increasing capacity and speed in new fast trains, travelers could reduce a trip to New York City by hours with improved, 110-mile-per-hour service.

I understand the concerns opponents of fast trains may have, including cost overruns and safety. I am committed to ensuring that new grade crossings along our corridor guarantee the safety of residents and commuters. Our state must work with the federal government and stakeholders such as CSX to ensure that planning emphasizes these upgrades. Be assured that over the next few months I will continue to work with elected officials on the local, state and federal level to discuss zoning requirements and secure available funding for this economic development project.

Furthermore, cost fears, while legitimate, should not kill a worthy jobs program and transportation project – especially since $2.4 billion in new federal funding was recently made available to the country’s rail routes, including the Empire Corridor. The United States is one of the last remaining industrialized nations without high-speed rail. For our local economy, for jobs, and for cheap, fast, and safe travel this needs to change.

Sincerely yours,
John D. Ceretto
Member of the Assembly
138th District

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