![Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings at the podium as other government officials look on. Monday, June 14 2010. [Mouseover and click on image to enlarge].](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff0dbcb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/375x377+0+0/resize/840x844!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fwamc%2Ffiles%2F201202%2F3319574-1309984677.jpg)
By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-907327.mp3
Albany, NY – Officials gathered at the Port of Albany to deliver a progress report on the ongoing replacement of the facility's old wharf ... Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
A combination of state, federal and local funding have financed a two-phase wharf reconstruction of the 80-year old wharf, crucial if the port is to survive as a viable shipping hub. Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings says phase one is more than halfway completed. He announced that an infusion of federal stimulus funds will make it possible to complete Phase 2 of wharf replacement. That additional stimulus money will also allow the port to expand the wharf by 310 feet.
Wharf reconstruction includes connecting it's on-dock rail line directly with CSX and CP Rail. Asemblyman Jack McEneny says the port is the reason behind Albany's success as a city. Jennings and McEneny say most people don't realize the importance of the port, which they hail as vital to the economy and to the future of Albany and of Upstate New York.
The port supports over 45-hundred full time jobs throughout the state and has a total economic impact of 813-million dollars.