Ritchie Applauds $2.6 Million in Oswego, St. Lawrence County Rail and Port Infrastructure Improvements

State Senator Patty Ritchie is applauding $2.6 million in new investments that will support rail and port infrastructure improvements in Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties, creating employment opportunities and generating economic growth.

The funding is part of $25 million in statewide grants being awarded through New York’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, which Senator Ritchie supported in the state budget.

“These important investments will better position our region to make it easier to move products to new markets by both rail and water,” said Senator Ritchie. “And, at the same time, they will also serve to boost Central and Northern New York by spurring economic growth and creating new jobs.”

Entities receiving funding in Senator Ritchie’s district include the following:

Port of Oswego Authority - $2.1 million to construct additional rail tracks and expand cargo handling facilities.  The funding will allow for rail track upgrades to store up to 80 rail cars. The improvements will also allow the port to increase its capacity to handle and export agricultural products, such as soybeans, wheat and more.

St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency -  $500,000 to re-establish rail access to Benson Mines. Restoring access to the Benson Mine property will allow the rail line to be connected to the Newton Falls to Carthage rail line.