Schumer: Rail link to become reality

STEWART AIRPORT – Build it and they will come. That from Senator Schumer Friday as he announced while at Stewart Airport that a study into a rail link from the Salisbury Mills Metro-North train station to the Newburgh airport will begin on June 2.

The MTA, parent of Metro-North and the Port Authority, operator of Stewart, have each committed $2.7 million to fund the study, which will take a year to complete. Following that, an 18 month environmental impact statement would be conducted.

And, Schumer predicted a direct rail link, which would provide a one-seat ride from Stewart to New York, will bring more airlines. In fact, he met recently with the head of a major airline, who raised his eyebrows when the senator told him a rail link would be constructed.

Work on the project could get underway in late 2010, Schumer said.

Stewart is “truly important to the future of the region,” said Elliot Sander, MTA CEO. And Schumer said it will improve service on the Port Jervis line and all west of Hudson service.

Orange County Chamber of Commerce President John D’Ambrosio said the business community’s “number one priority in making Stewart work.”

The total cost of constructing the rail line has yet to be determined; however, Schumer said it could range anywhere from $120 million to $500 million and the state and federal governments would be looked at to fund the work.

Schumer said the Stewart rail link would mean more than just a passenger link to the airport. It will provide commuter alternatives for those who use personal vehicles now and could alleviate traffic on, among other routes, the Tappan Zee Bridge.