A number of planned improvements to rail service infrastructure in the Massena area is being seen by local leaders like Mayor Jim Hidy as a way to provide economic growth opportunities for both existing and new businesses.
 
"It could be a win-win for everybody here," said Hidy.
 
Rail freight operator CSX plans to spend upwards of $14 million on various rail improvements in Massena as well making other investments on its existing rail line from Syracuse to the Canadian border.

The improvements are indirectly connected to CSX's plans to spend more than $93 million to build a new container terminal in Valleyfield, Quebec.
 
CSX spokesman Robert Sullivan told us specific details of all the rail improvements planned for Massena are still being worked out.
 
"The investments would be designed to further improve service reliability on the line. At this point, however, there are no specific investments to announce," said Sullivan.
 
Local officials are hoping plans will include a new rail spur connecting the Massena Industrial Park with the CSX line.
 
"Any effort that can be made to improve the rail system and add cars to that portion of the rail line, in the long term, have to reduce the cost per car, which would make transporting product by rail substantially more competitive up here," said Dan Pease of Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena.

Work is also expected to begin soon on a separate $2 million project, funded through a regional economic development council grant, that will allow for heavier box car loads of raw products coming to Alcoa's West plant.
 
Included among the improvements at the Massena terminal will be the installation of new rail and ties, as well as a new switch to improve the rail line's connection to the CSX network.