Staff Report / July 14, 2025
A neglected stretch of railroad running from Bath to Hammondsport is about to receive a new lease on life, thanks to a $400,000 infusion of state and local funds dedicated to tourism-driven infrastructure improvements.
The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has secured funding for the Hammondsport Rail Corridor Stabilization Project, which targets a 2.9-mile section of track that hasn’t seen regular service since the 1990s. Though technically still active, the line has fallen into disuse and now requires significant upgrades to the railbed, erosion control features, and access points to prepare it for future recreational purposes.
The $400,000 project is a joint effort: $200,000 comes from an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant, while local sources—comprising county funds and contributions—cover the remainder.
“This corridor has long been underutilized,” said officials from Congressman Nick Langworthy’s office. “Stabilizing the railbed and upgrading access are critical first steps toward converting this asset into a recreational tourism draw.”
Langworthy, who serves New York’s 23rd Congressional District, applauded the funding as a strategic economic initiative. “Repairing this railway will generate new economic opportunities by attracting visitors, boosting local revenue, and supporting job growth,” he said, calling it “a smart, forward‑looking investment in Steuben County’s economy and infrastructure.”
