Cortland rail terminal steams through approval phase

CORTLAND  —  A planned multi-modal rail terminal in Cortland is on a forward track after receiving contract approval for over $917,000 in funding from the first round of New York’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

The New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad Corp. (NYS&W) plans to build three siding tracks near Pendleton Road in the southern part of the city of Cortland. Those tracks, along with additional infrastructure, will make up a Cortland Transload Terminal that will allow containers to be moved between rail cars and trucks.

“The Cortland Transload Terminal will enable Central New York region businesses to address the cost of shipping by taking advantage of the efficiencies of rail transportation without having to be located next to the railroad,” NYS&W President Nathan Fenno said in a news release. “The goal of the facility is to help local business save money, increase flexibility, and improve reliability. Consequently, the more freight that moves by rail, the less we move by long-haul trucks.”

State funding for the project totaling $917,442 comes from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). It was awarded in the first round of Regional Economic Development Council funding at the end of 2011.

“The new transload terminal will improve the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway’s operating efficiency and expand their business,” NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald said. “In turn, other area businesses can grow because they’ll now have access to being able to move large quantities of goods by rail.”

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com