Forest Hills, NY – Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi is excited to announce today that he has successfully secured funding in the FY2026-27 State Budget to increase the number of green freight locomotives operating in and around Fresh Pond Yard, the main hub for the New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) and the home of its locomotive fleet.

Thanks to this year's budget inclusion, up to $2 million in funding for rail freight projects will serve as a state match to a $10.9 million application to the federal government's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. This combined effort from New York State, the federal government, and NYA would fund a significant shift towards cleaner and more efficient freight infrastructure in our community.

The application would upgrade four locomotives to Tier 4 emissions status, the highest attainable standard of emissions reduction.

Over the prior 11 consecutive state budgets, AM Hevesi has successfully secured funding for 11 green locomotives. Two of those units are currently in operation, and an active Long Island Rail Road procurement is in the process of securing another eight units. One additional unit was also added to the fleet through a lease with Waste Management. If NYA is awarded the federal grant, there will be at least 15 green locomotives serving Fresh Pond Yard through the Assemblymember's efforts.