FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $11.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR LONG ISLAND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 276 Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $11.5 million for transportation projects on Long Island through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These investments will provide for essential highway and bridge repairs and other long-term improvements that will create an estimated 276 jobs. The area is expected to receive $154 million in economic recovery funding for bridge and road work in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Governor Paterson also announced an additional $3.2 million in economic-recovery funding was certified for a transportation enhancement project. Transportation enhancement projects make improvements with cultural, aesthetic, historical and environmental significance and must fit into one or more of the following federally specified categories. In April, Governor Paterson announced that through the ARRA, the State had been allocated a total of $34 million in economic recovery funding for transportation enhancement projects.
“Thanks to President Obama and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation, we have been able to utilize this significant economic recovery funding to rehabilitate numerous roads and bridges that otherwise may not have received immediate improvements,” Governor Paterson said. “In doing this, we have succeeded in both creating and maintaining jobs in communities across the State and in moving New York’s economy toward recovery.”
The certifications include the following projects:
- $5 million in ARRA funding for an $8.1 million project to provide new bike lanes and improved pedestrian facilities, including new sidewalks and crosswalks, on Prospect Avenue between Brush Hollow Road and Cantiague Rock Road in New Cassel, in the town of North Hempstead, Nassau County.
- $3.5 million in ARRA funding to rehabilitate Commack Road, County Road 4, between Nicolls Road and Polo Street in the towns of Babylon and Huntington, Suffolk County. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.
- $3.2 million in ARRA funding for a transportation enhancement project to add new or rehabilitate existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the town of Riverhead, Suffolk County. Work is expected to be completed by March 2012.
- $3 million in ARRA funding to upgrade 30 traffic signals on Nassau County roads. Improvements include installing new signal poles and foundations, new controller equipment, new vehicular and pedestrian indicators and new wiring. Intersection technology also will be connected to the county transportation management center. Work is expected to be completed by October 2010.
Earlier this month, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to the ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award Long Island $230 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $32 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. In total, Long Island communities will receive more than $400 million in highway and bridge funding in State Fiscal Year 2009-10.
The economic recovery funds New York will receive 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 (MPOs) across the State, which are comprised of local elected officials, local transit operators and NYSDOT representatives. MPOs vote unanimously on projects for their Transportation Improvement Program, and the projects then are eligible to receive economic recovery funds.
Similarly, regions of New York State without MPOs are served by NYSDOT, 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. For more information, please visit: http://recovery.ny.gov/.
The following quotes were provided in support of the Long Island economic recovery projects:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Investing in transportation projects is just what New York needs because it creates jobs and updates our aged infrastructure. These necessary upgrades and improvements will go a long way in ensuring the safety of New Yorkers and the longevity of our roads and bridges. I am proud to have worked so hard to secure this money and see it put to such good use.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said “This is the right investment for Long Island. These federal dollars will help create new good-paying jobs, upgrade infrastructure and help rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
Congressman Tim Bishop said: “These projects will create jobs and improve Long Island’s quality of life. We need to put Long Islanders to work and rebuild our infrastructure. Increasingly, we are doing that with funds through the Recovery Act.”
Congressman Steve Israel said: “Recovery Act funding is now being put to work in a big way – rebuilding our infrastructure and creating new jobs. Long Island deserves its fair share of funding. These just announced Recovery Act projects will help us generate new economic activity.”
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy said: “I am pleased that Governor Paterson has certified important projects that will help improve Long Island’s transportation infrastructure. This funding will help rehabilitate badly deteriorated roads, repair aging and failing drainage systems and improve dated motorist information signs. These projects will help to create jobs, boost our local economy and bring much needed improvements to major roadways and thoroughfares throughout Long Island. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Paterson to continue to find ways to rebuild Long Island’s infrastructure and economy.”
NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “The essential improvements being made to these highways and bridges are providing the people of the New York State with a safer and more reliable transportation system. Governor Paterson’s commitment to implementing these funds to both eligible state and local projects will create construction jobs and help reestablish the State’s economy.”
Assemblyman Marc Alessi said: “These improvements will encourage our community to get out and enjoy all that Riverhead has to offer. Investing in bicycle and pedestrian facilities will go a long way toward both creating jobs and protecting our environment.”
Assemblyman Charles Lavine said: “These stimulus funds will enable important transportation infrastructure improvements across Nassau County. Improved pedestrian walkways and traffic signals will help enhance our community while keeping all travelers safe. The Prospect Avenue project will make an important contribution to the revitalization of the entire New Cassel community. I am very grateful to Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation who fought hard for this money.”
Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg said: “These fund are greatly appreciated and come at a time when so many travelers are visiting our communities. Updating local traffic signal systems will keep roadways safe and reliable for all travelers across Nassau County.”