$1 million secured for Lyons train station

 At 1 p.m. today, officials gathered in Lyons on Franklin Street to hear the announcement that $1 million in state aid is available for a new passenger rail station.

The project was initiated 10 years ago by local businessman Mike Santelli, owner of Trombino's Restaurant. He has spearheaded efforts to keep the plan alive, and was on hand today to introduce NY State Senator Mike Nozzolio.

The Senator has advocated a new station, which he believes would not only provide a rail link to points east and west, but also a 'gateway' into the Finger Lakes region. Currently, there is no rail stop between Syracuse and Rochester and, according to Nozzolio, a station in Lyons would hold great potential.

Now that Nozzolio has secured the funding to construct the station, he said the project will need assistance from Congressman Tom Reynolds and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer to convince Amtrak and CXS, which now owns the tracks, that the station is needed. Nozzolio added, 'We believe we've removed the largest single obstacle - funding.'

Quoting from the movie Field of Dreams, Nozzolio predicted, 'If we build it, they will come.'

As Lyons Supervisor Jim Fabino took the microphone, an Amtrak train came sailing by and all turned to wave.

'Now we just have to get them to stop,' said Nozzolio.

Officials will meet Wednesday with Amtrak representatives to discuss the project.

Pictured are Nozzolio, Fabino, NYS Assemblyman Bob Oaks and Santelli.

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