MASSENA — The North Country Regional Economic Development Council announced Tuesday that the Massena Terminal Railroad has signed its contract to move forward with the first stages of improvements on the strength of a $1.6 million award it received in the first round of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative.

“The importance of rail to the future of the north country economy is strongly embraced by the north country’s regional plan,” said Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce and co-chairman of the Regional Economic Development Council.

The Main Line Track and Bridge Rehabilitation project, sponsored by the Massena Terminal Railroad Co., will include significant rail improvements along its main line and yard tracks to safely accommodate unit ore trains for the Alcoa West plant.

With a total project cost of nearly $2 million, bridges will be repaired, new rail, ties and ballast will be installed and a new switch will be installed to improve the line’s connection with CSX.

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