Representative Louise Slaughter is leading discussions between representatives of CSX, the New York Department of Transportation, Amtrak, and Governor David Paterson's office to put high-speed rail for upstate on a fast track.

The Third Track Initiative would involve constructing a passenger rail track designed to handle speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. The high-speed track would be built along two existing CSX-owned rail lines between Buffalo and Albany, with stops in Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica. Travel time from Buffalo to Albany could be shortened to about 90 minutes.

"Right now we are in an open dialogue with CSX to determine what needs to be done to build the third rail," says a Slaughter aide. "This corridor used to have four tracks, so that will make it easier."

The new track along what the DOT refers to as the west corridor, would be the first leg of high-speed rail in the state outside of New York City. Construction of the new rail is estimated at $3 billion over a five-year period, creating as many as 12,000 jobs. That doesn't include the cost of trains, operation, and maintenance.

Studies on high-speed rail for New York have been around since the 1970's. The most recent was the result of a task force formed by former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno in 2005.

Slaughter's push for high-speed rail is in response to President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan, which commits $8 billion over two years and an additional $1 billion over the next five years to begin a massive upgrade of the nation's rail system.

Advocates of high-speed rail say that $13 billion in stimulus funding is just the beginning. And investment in trains that only reach 110 miles per hour doesn't compare to Japan, China, and Europe where trains travel at more than 200 miles per hour.

The Empire line is one of 10 corridors that the Obama Administration has identified as promising for high-speed rail development.