Public engagement is essential to the success of the Project, as it gives the Project Team an opportunity to communicate with project partners and to receive feedback on key issues. Involving the public at key decision points in the Project is critical to making decisions that are in the best overall interest of the project. Public involvement will also help the Project Team to:
Proactively anticipate and carefully consider issues and concerns
Proactively obtain early and ongoing input about project needs and preferences
Strive for timely consensus to high speed intercity passenger rail issues
Upcoming Activities:
Information on dates and locations of public meetings will be posted on the website Schedule page.
Past Events:
Open Houses and Public Hearings - March 2014
Six public hearings were held across the State between March 4, 2014 and March 12, 2014 in Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, and Poughkeepsie. These sessions included an open house where the public were invited to view display boards and ask questions about the project. A formal presentation was held during the public hearing where the public were invited to make oral comments.
Albany, NY Tuesday, March 4, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. Nanofab South Building at the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203
Syracuse, NY Wednesday, March 5, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse, NY 13208
Buffalo, NY Thursday, March 6, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. The Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum, 263 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203
Rochester, NY Friday, March 7, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. The Strong, One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607
Utica, NY Tuesday, March 11, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. Utica Union Station, 321 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501
Poughkeepsie, NY Wednesday, March 12, 2014; Open House 4-8 p.m. and Public Hearing 6-8 p.m. Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 12 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
If you missed attending one of the open houses or public hearings, you can download and view the same material shown at the open houses and presented at the public hearings:
The fourth Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting - March 2013
On March 4, 2013, the fourth EPAC meeting was held in Albany to provide an update on the alternatives evaluation. The performance measures being used to evaluate the alternatives include:
Improving On-Time Performance
Reducing Travel Time
Increasing Service Frequency
Attracting New Ridership
Reducing Automobile Trips
Minimizing Impact on Freight Rail Service
Preliminary results of the Economic Benefits Evaluation was also presented. The evaluation was conducted in order to ascertain the economic benefits associated with investments in improved passenger rail service on the Empire Corridor. Meeting minutes of this and other EPAC meetings are posted on the Reports/Documents page. :
The third Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting - March 2012
The third Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting was held in Albany on March 8, 2012 to provide an update on the progress made to date as well as obtain input. Topics of the presentation for this EPAC meeting include:
Alternatives Development
Operations Analysis
Market Assessment
Alternatives Analysis
Environmental Considerations
The second Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting - March 2011
On March 21, 2011, the second EPAC meeting was held in Albany to present a summary of the Public Scoping meeting activities, discuss the development of alternatives, and review the environmental methodologies.
Public Scoping meetings - October/November 2010
During October and November 2010, the Empire Corridor Project Team (Project Team) conducted six Public Scoping meetings (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, and New York City) for the High Speed Rail Empire Corridor Project. The meeting activities followed the project's Public Involvement Plan & Agency Coordination document and provided forums for open dialogue and sharing of information among the Project Team, agencies, and the public.
Buffalo, NY - Connecticut Street Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 Tuesday, October 19, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Syracuse, NY - Empire Expo Center (Syracuse Fairgrounds), 581 Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY 13209 Wednesday, October 20, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Albany, NY - Sand Creek Middle School, 329 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205 Tuesday, October 26, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
New York City, NY - Moynihan Station, 380 West 33rd Street, NY 10001 Wednesday, October 27, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Utica, NY - Hotel Utica, 102 Lafayette Street, Utica, NY 13502 Tuesday, November 9, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rochester, NY - Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 Wednesday, November 10, 2010; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
During the Scoping process, the project team received over 100 comments and/or questions from the public. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the FAQ page. With respect to level of support, seventy percent of the comments were supportive, 20% were neutral, and 10% of the comments included concerns regarding high speed rail. In general, the content of the most frequently asked questions can be categorized in the following way:
Locations, Station Improvements, Land Use around Stations
Operations
Speed, Safety, Frequency, Competitive Pricing
Other
Economy, Jobs, Environment, Community Impacts
The first Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting - October 2010
The purpose of the EPAC, which is comprised of federal and state agencies, statewide governmental organizations and major railroads, is to inform and guide the Project Team’s efforts and to serve as a communication conduit to and from their constituents.
The first EPAC meeting was held in Albany on October 18, 2010 to present information about the project and to receive input and suggestions from the EPAC.
Make use of the Web site:
The project Web site is the simplest way for you to stay current, have accurate project information, submit comments, and receive feedback.
Sign up for the Mailing List:
To receive project updates, you are encouraged to sign up for the project mailing list under the Contact Us page. Your contact information will only be used for the Project (and will not be sold or given to anyone outside the Project Team).
The Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) consists of representatives from key federal/state agencies, key railroads, and statewide organizations representing regional governments. The EPAC will receive updates from the Project Team at key milestones and will serve as a communication conduit for their constituents. Minutes of all EPAC meetings are posted on the Reports/Documents page. The EPAC's role is advisory and not decision-making.
The following are the members of the EPAC:
Federal Agencies
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
National Parks Service (NPS)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)
US Department of Interior (DOI)
US Coast Guard
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
State Agencies
NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
NYS Department of State (NYSDOS)
NYS Empire State Development Corporation (NYSESD)
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
State of New York, Office of the Governor
NYS Thruway Authority
NYS Canal Corporation
NYS Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Local Agencies
Erie County Department of Environment and Planning
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The third Empire Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) meeting was held in Albany on March 8, 2012 to provide an update on the progress made to date as well as obtain input. Topics of the presentation for this EPAC meeting include:
