The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is hoping to push forward, but is still looking for the City of Utica's support.

Gene Falvo, a past president of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, says he hopes to rehabilitate the 140 miles of rail between Big Moose and Saranac Lake, at a cost of between $17 and $18 million dollars.

"The rails exist," Falvo said. "We just need to put some new ties in and put some new stone underneath those ties and we're good to go."

But, he says the group isn't looking for money, just the city's support for the project.

"This resolution, if it is fortunate enough to pass the Common Council, would not bind the taxpayers of the city of Utica to a single penny," Falvo said. "We just want the support to move forward and secure the funding that we need, but it would not come from the taxpayers of Utica at all."

He says if the rails are updated, Utica could become a hub for tourism in Central New York, for both Lake Placid to the north, and Cooperstown to the south.

The plan already has the support of two City Council members.

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