Speeding train at Flatbush Aenue

KINGSTON – The state Transportation Department is going to provide $604,000 in funding for track improvements and siding construction for CSX Transportation in Kingston. The money is part of $20 million the DOT is providing for rail infrastructure upgrades across the state.

It is the only funding for the Hudson Valley listed in this third year funding of a five year program financed by the State Dedicated Fund.

The Kingston money was sought by the railroad, said Mayor James Sottile. “One of the things that we have been facing here is the amount of train traffic we have had coming through the city,” he told MidhudsonNews.com.

 “With these improvements that will be made, train traffic can move through a little bit quicker, staging areas, side tracks can be expanded, and I think as result of all the improvements that will eventually be made traffic will not be held up as long as we currently experience it here in the City of Kingston.”

Sottile said the city supported the CSX funding request because “any improvements to the tracks here in the City of Kingston and the yards here will certainly help the quality of life here.”