In January 2026, New York State's Department of Transportation announced more than $101 million in freight rail and port infrastructure awards through its Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP). The Finger Lakes Region — encompassing Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming, Genesee, Seneca, and Ontario counties — captured $20.4 million of that total across six projects, the largest regional share outside New York City. The investment spans aging bridge replacements, new industrial rail facilities, freight capacity upgrades, and lifeline funding for a historic short-line railroad that has faced closure.

For construction professionals and manufacturers in the region, the awards represent direct work on civil infrastructure as well as a long-term reduction in the heavy truck traffic that competes with construction fleets on the same regional roads.

Rochester and Southern Railroad: Two Bridge Replacements Totaling $9 Million

The largest single Finger Lakes award — $5,964,817 — goes to the Rochester and Southern Railroad (RSRR) for the replacement of the Oatka Creek Bridge, which spans Monroe, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties. The existing structure was built in 1933 and last rehabilitated in 1965. A companion award of $3,076,338 covers the Spring Creek Bridge — a new substructure and superstructure, tie replacement, and rehabilitation of three grade crossing surfaces. Together, the two RSRR awards total more than $9 million.

According to WHEC (News10NBC), both projects are designed to maintain the RSRR's ability to handle industry-standard 286,000-pound carloads — the threshold that determines whether a rail line can serve heavy industrial shippers. The Oatka Creek Bridge is central to the RSRR main line that serves manufacturers in Monroe, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties.

Jaguar Tubulars: A New Rail Facility in Livingston County

The Livingston County Industrial Development Agency received $4,559,660 to construct a new rail facility for Jaguar Tubulars in Avon. The project will enable the loading and unloading of rolled coil steel from railcars, supporting the manufacture of steel piping at a new plant in the area. NYSDOT's award summary states the project will increase job growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower the number of trucks traveling on regional highways — a direct benefit to road users across Livingston County, according to the Rochester Business Journal.

Wyoming County Transfer Station Expansion

The Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency received $3,323,623 to construct and install additional rail spurs, pads, switches, and driveways at the Wyoming Transfer Station, increasing the station's capacity and creating opportunities for continued freight growth. The project will improve overall efficiency and support businesses that use the facility for agricultural and industrial commodity transfers.

Grain Facility Connection to Finger Lakes Railway in Waterloo

The Seneca County Industrial Development Agency will use $1,771,805 to connect a grain facility in Waterloo to the Finger Lakes Railway, improving freight access for local agricultural producers. The connection will reduce truck traffic and emissions while increasing efficiency and supporting agricultural viability — a meaningful benefit in a region where grain and dairy logistics depend heavily on road transport.

Arcade and Attica Railroad: Lifeline Funding

The most historically resonant award in the Finger Lakes round goes to the Arcade and Attica Railroad Corporation, which received $1,734,000 for necessary upgrades and replacements to prevent railroad closure. The Arcade and Attica is one of the oldest operating steam railroads in the United States and serves local businesses that have few practical alternatives to rail for their logistics needs. Without the PFRAP funding, the railroad's continued viability was in question. According to the RBJ, the award confirms that New York State views the preservation of short-line freight rail as a legitimate infrastructure investment alongside mainline infrastructure.

Western New York Gets $17.7 Million More

The Finger Lakes awards were matched by a separate $17.7 million in Western New York awards through the same PFRAP round. Key WNY projects include the Erie County IDA's Welded Tube USA Rail Spur ($4.39 million to construct a new rail spur), the South Buffalo Railway Company's UFP Facility rail access at the former Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna ($3.28 million for three new rail spurs), the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad main line rehabilitation ($4.68 million to replace over 21,000 feet of rail and repair four bridges), and the Falls Road Railroad Company capacity expansion ($3.65 million for new sidings).

Why PFRAP Matters for Construction

The PFRAP program, administered by NYSDOT, selects projects through a competitive process that weighs benefit-cost analysis, safety enhancements, compatibility with regional economic development plans, and climate benefits. According to analysis by Freight Flow Advisor, the statewide package is projected to increase throughput by 15 percent in key sectors, reduce supply chain costs by $5 million annually, and lower carbon emissions by approximately 10,000 metric tons per year. For the construction industry, every ton of freight that shifts from truck to rail reduces wear on the same regional road network that construction vehicles depend on — making PFRAP investments quietly relevant to every contractor operating in the Finger Lakes and Western New York.

Sources

• EIN News / Governor Hochul Press Release — Full PFRAP award list (January 9, 2026)
• Rochester Business Journal — New York awards $20.4M for Finger Lakes rail projects (January 12, 2026)
• WHEC (News10NBC) — Finger Lakes region receives over $20M for rail (January 13, 2026)
• Freight Flow Advisor — New York's $101M freight push (February 4, 2026)