NORWICH – It may not be much longer before freight trains rattle the tracks that span Chenango County once again. The Chenango County Industrial Development Agency announced Wednesday that it has been approved $4.7 million for the revitalization of the damaged Utica Main Line rail system that runs 45.5 miles through the county, from the southern part of Greene to Earlville.

The grant comes by way of the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA), an agency that has closely worked with the CCIDA for funding for the restoration project since an application was submitted by the CCIDA last fall. Secured funding from the EDA represents 80 percent of the $5.897 million dollar project to repair the lines, according to a press release from the CCIDA. Remaining costs will be covered by a $770,422 grant awarded to the agency by the New York Department of Transportation in 2011.

Required funding in the amount of $408,070 will be pitched in by local agencies, including the Development Chenango Corporation, the CCIDA, Chenango County government, and the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad (NYS&W), which owns and operates the Utica Main Line that connects the cities of Utica and Binghamton.