April 9, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON, SENATOR SCHUMER, CONGRESSWOMAN SLAUGHTER AND CONGRESSMAN HIGGINS ANNOUNCE $72 MILLION IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK INFRASTRUCTURE
First Approved Projects Include Resurfacing Routes 219 and 417
Funding will Create an Estimated 1,728 Jobs in Western New York
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Western New York is expected to receive at least $72 million in transportation and infrastructure funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This critical funding will go toward much-needed highway and road repair, bridgework and other long-term improvements to the region’s infrastructure and will create an estimated 1,728 jobs. The Governor was joined by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter and Congressman Brian Higgins in Niagara Falls to make the announcement.
“I want to thank President Obama and New York’s Congressional Delegation for their work to secure these funds, which will provide projects in the Buffalo-area with the financing they need to move forward,” Governor Paterson said. “Today’s announcement represents a small fraction of the total funds Western New York can expect to receive. Here in Niagara County, millions of dollars in paving projects on local road are expected to be finalized and certified in the coming months, and will be just one visible example of these economic recovery dollars at work. These investments will update aging infrastructure, making our roads, highways and bridges safer while also creating jobs, bolstering economic development and ensuring a brighter future for our State.”
In addition to these funds, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will award $75 million in highway and bridge contracts next year and Western New York will receive approximately $32.9 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled New York to restore to the State budget. In total, Western New York communities will receive $180 million in highway and bridge funding in 2009-10.
The economic recovery funds coming to New York for transportation projects must follow the same process required for distributing all federal transportation funds. The funds are allocated to projects that are selected by the 13 regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO’s) across the State, which are comprised of local elected officials, local transit operators and members of the DOT. MPO’s vote unanimously on projects for their Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and economic recovery funds will be directed to projects on those lists. Similarly, regions of New York without MPO’s are served by the DOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The Department is working with local officials and the Governor’s Economic Recovery Cabinet to identify priority shovel-ready projects eligible for recovery funds.
DOT Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said: “These projects will preserve the integrity of Western New York’s transportation infrastructure and improve the safety of motorists. Governor Paterson has worked hard to secure these valuable federal funds to bolster our transportation infrastructure and invest in critical job creation.”
Governor Paterson has recently certified $6.3 million in ARRA funding for projects in Cattaraugus and Erie counties. Specifically, the projects include:
- $1.6 million of ARRA funding to replace two culverts on NY Route 242 in the towns of Ellicottville and Little Valley, Cattaraugus County. This project will eliminate culvert deficiencies and ensure good structural condition. Project completion is expected in the fall of 2009;
- $900,000 of ARRA funding for a project to repair culverts on US Route 219 and NY Route 400 in the towns of Boston and Concord, Erie County. This preventative maintenance work will eliminate corrosion and restore drainage elements to a state of good repair. Project completion is expected in the fall of 2009;
- $1.5 million of ARRA funding for resurfacing approximately three miles of pavement on US Route 219 and NY Route 417 in the City of Salamanca, Cattaraugus County, and Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians. The top layer of worn, deteriorated pavement will be removed and replaced with new asphalt and fresh pavement markings to extend the service life of pavement. Project completion is expected in the fall of 2009;
- $900,000 of ARRA funding for resurfacing approximately 1.5 miles of pavement on NY Route 78 in the Village of Depew and towns of Lancaster and Cheektowaga, Erie County. The top layer of worn, deteriorated pavement will be removed and replaced with new asphalt and fresh pavement markings to extend the service life of pavement. Traffic signal sensors will be replaced and the drainage system will be cleaned and repaired to improve the quality of storm-water runoff. Project completion is expected in the fall of 2009;
- $2.2 million of ARRA funding for a project to restore the deteriorating stone facing of an historic bridge carrying NY Route 198, the Scajaquada Expressway, over NY Route 384 in the City of Buffalo, Erie County. The bridge is located in the historic site of Delaware Park designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Drainage on the bridge will also be repaired and upgraded to protect the structure from future damage and keep it safe for pedestrians on Rt 198 and Delaware Ave. Project completion is expected in the fall of 2010;
- $500,000 of ARRA funding for a project to replace selected signs on state highways throughout the City of Buffalo, towns of Amherst and Cheektowaga and Village of Williamsville, Erie County. Installation is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “The stimulus package was designed to allow us accomplish two critical tasks: Invest in our woefully under-funded infrastructure and create jobs. These road and bridge projects will do both, creating 1,700 jobs in Western New York and allowing people to move around in a safer, quicker and more pleasant fashion, all the while saving taxpayers money on future repairs.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “I welcome today’s announcement by Governor Paterson that stimulus funds we passed in Congress have started making their way towards Western New York State’s vital infrastructure needs. These critical federal dollars will not only create safer roads, and a stronger infrastructure, but will also start to revitalize the economy by putting almost 1700 men and women in the region back to work.”
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter said: “The enactment of the economic recovery bill has enabled us to invest in transportation and infrastructure projects in Western New York. Included among these projects are badly-needed resurfacing and repair work to nine roads in the City of Niagara Falls stretching from the Falls to LaSalle. These critical recovery dollars will not only help us keep our roads and infrastructure strong but put Western New Yorkers back to work and boost economic activity in the region. We have to keep our infrastructure working so that we can keep our residents working.”
Congressman Brian Higgins said: “Federal Recovery Act funding for transportation projects will create real jobs for real people in Western New York. This initial announcement is a first step toward a comprehensive list of projects that will construct the infrastructure necessary to draw new economic development into this region. As we move ahead I look forward to additional announcements related to projects along the Buffalo waterfront and others across Chautauqua and Erie Counties demonstrating a meaningful commitment of the $1.12 billion in federal transportation funds allocated to the state for road and bridge projects.”
Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith said: “Investment in Western New York’s aging infrastructure is a sure way to create new jobs and breathe new life into the local economy. The more we can target federal stimulus funding to attract new business investment and tourism throughout Erie, Niagara, and Cattaraugus Counties, the better off our entire economy will be. The Governor has worked tirelessly alongside State Senators Bill Stachowski and Antoine Thompson and our great federal delegation to direct these funds in a way that will help put more than one thousand Western New Yorkers back to work. That’s very good news as we work to turn our economy around.”
State Senator William Stachowski said: “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding serves Western New York two-fold. First, it provides the necessary funds to repair our roads and bridges, which is an obvious necessity. Infrastructure repairs and improvements go a long way in keeping a community viable for new and current business growth. Secondly, it creates over 1,700 jobs to do the work, which is critical in a time of recovery. I applaud the efforts of Senator Schumer, Congresswoman Louis Slaughter, Congressman Brian Higgins and of course Governor Paterson in securing this funding for Western New York.”
State Senator Antoine Thompson said: “I’m pleased to see funding coming to Western New York for much needed repairs to our infrastructure. Not only will we be able to improve road conditions and bridges but we will also be able to create new jobs. With the state of the economy right now, job creation is an absolute priority.”
Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said:“This federal transportation and infrastructure funding is critical for Niagara Falls at a time when the roads are in deplorable condition. Having all levels of government from federal down to local take action towards road improvements is a step in a positive direction.”
Assemblyman Dennis H Gabryszak said: “This much needed money will enable us to continue our plans to promote and revitalize the retail corridor along Route 78 that connects the communities in my district. It’s a win-win for residents and the job market.”
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said: “These dollars will provide immediate and significant upgrades to much of our area’s critical transportation infrastructure. The bridge work to be done in Delaware Park will contribute to the beauty of this historic park, while ensuring the structural integrity of the bridge and the continued safety of motorists.”
Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples said: “I am pleased with Governor Paterson’s announcement today of investing important funding into our region’s infrastructure. The infusion of resources will go toward providing much-needed highway and road repair, bridgework, and most importantly stimulate jobs here in Western New York. I am hopeful that these initial investments can serve as a positive impetus and spark for economic growth and recovery in our region. I thank President Obama, Governor Paterson, and our Congressional Delegation for all of their hard work.”
