U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney visited LA&L's Lakeville headquarters and locomotive shop to discuss short line rail investment, 45G modernization, rail grant programs, and the regional economic impact of freight rail service.
LAKEVILLE, N.Y. — June 2026 — The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad recently welcomed U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney, who represents New York's 24th Congressional District. The visit took place at LA&L's Lakeville headquarters and locomotive shop.
The meeting gave LA&L leadership an opportunity to discuss the railroad's regional economic impact, ongoing infrastructure needs, and the importance of continued support for short line rail investment.
Supporting Regional Industry
Representative Tenney met with Bob Babcock, President and CEO of the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad, along with members of the LA&L team. Together, they discussed the role LA&L and its affiliated railroads play in supporting manufacturers, agricultural producers, food processors, distributors, and industrial development opportunities.
The discussion also focused on how short line railroads serve as critical transportation assets for regional growth. LA&L highlighted the commodities moving across its lines, the industries that depend on reliable rail service, and the role freight rail access plays in helping communities compete for new investment.
45G remains a critical infrastructure investment tool for short line railroads.
For LA&L and its affiliated lines, the Section 45G Short Line Railroad Track Maintenance Tax Credit helps drive private investment directly into track, bridges, yards, drainage, grade crossings, and other core infrastructure.
The Importance of 45G Modernization
A key part of the conversation centered on the Section 45G Short Line Railroad Track Maintenance Tax Credit. LA&L also discussed the need to modernize the program so it better reflects today's infrastructure costs.
For LA&L and its affiliated lines, 45G remains one of the most effective tools for maintaining safe and reliable service. The program helps support private investment in track, bridges, yards, drainage, grade crossings, and other core infrastructure.
LA&L appreciates Representative Tenney's support for the program. Her engagement recognizes the important role short line railroads play in supporting local industry, regional growth, and the national freight rail network.
Rail Grants and Infrastructure Investment
LA&L also discussed the importance of federal and state rail grant programs, including CRISI and New York State rail capital programs. These programs are essential partners to private investment.
In addition, rail grant programs help short line railroads advance projects that improve safety, expand capacity, support locomotive modernization, and strengthen service reliability for customers.
Rail-Served Economic Development
The visit also allowed LA&L to highlight the scale of rail-served economic development taking place across its service territory. More than $400 million in customer investment has been announced or is currently being developed for new and expanded rail-served operations along LA&L-affiliated lines.
These projects show how reliable short line rail service can help retain industry, support expansion, attract new business, and strengthen communities throughout Representative Tenney's district and the broader region.
For LA&L, continued investment in infrastructure, transload capacity, and locomotive modernization is directly tied to customer growth and regional competitiveness. As a result, policies and programs that support short line railroads also support the industries and communities that depend on them.
LA&L appreciates Representative Tenney's visit, her engagement with the railroad's leadership team, and her support for policies that strengthen short line railroads, freight customers, and the regional economies they serve.
About the LA&L Family of Railroads
The LA&L family of railroads includes the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad, B&H Rail Corp., Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, and Ontario Midland Railroad. Together, these short line railroads provide freight rail service across Western New York, the Southern Tier, and northwestern Pennsylvania.
The LA&L family supports manufacturers, agricultural producers, food processors, distributors, transload customers, and industrial development opportunities by connecting local industries to the national freight rail network. Through continued investment in infrastructure, customer service, transload capacity, and locomotive modernization, LA&L remains committed to regional economic growth and safe, reliable rail service.
Local rail service. National market reach.
Contact the LA&L business development team to discuss rail service, transload options, rail-served properties, storage, track access, or industrial growth opportunities.
