NORWICH – The final report from a railway feasibility study has been delayed once more. The study, commissioned by the Chenango County Area Corporation and funded in part by the Chenango County Planning and Economic Development Committee, was expected to be completed in the fall.

“We’d hoped for October,” said Jennifer Tavares, Business Development and Zone Coordinator for Commerce Chenango, in an update to the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency on Dec. 17.

The purpose of the feasibility study was to evaluate the viability of a number of different options for the 41.02-mile stretch of track between Chenango Forks and Sherburne which has been out of service since it was damaged by heavy flooding in June 2006.

The New York Susquehanna & Western Rail Road officially discontinued service along the section of rail on Oct.1. The railway company has agreed to put off filing for abandonment of the segment, which is part of its Utica Branch Line for one year.

The CCIDA is a major stakeholder in the future of the rail corridor as it holds the title for the NYS&W property through the county as per the company’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement.

The latest hold up in the study came when the latest draft of the final report, submitted by Trans Systems-Stone Consulting, was rejected by the CCAC.