www.ny.gov -GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $7.4 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $7.4 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 178 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $7.4 million for transportation projects in Western New York 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 178 jobs. The area is expected to receive $72 million in economic recovery funding for bridge and road work in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

“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:

$2.2 million in ARRA funding for a $4.9 million project to replace two highway ramp bridges at the Interstate I-190/ I-290 interchange in the Town of Tonawanda in Erie County. New bridges will be installed on new alignments to the north of the existing bridges, eliminating structural deficiencies of the existing two bridges and providing roadway improvements that meet today’s design standards and respond to traffic forecasts. These improvements will provide for adequate capacity and safety in a cost effective manner throughout a design life of 50 years. The project is schedule for completion in fall 2011.
$1.6 million for a project to repave 1.6 miles of Pine Avenue (US Route 62) to Main Street (NY Route 104) in the city of Niagara Falls in Niagara County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is schedule for completion this winter.
$1.2 million in ARRA funding for a project repave 1.6 miles of Main Street (NY Route 104) from Ontario Street to Pierce Street in the city of Niagara Falls in Niagara County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is scheduled for completion this winter.
$1 million in ARRA funding for a project to repave 0.4 miles of Packard Road from Niagara Falls Boulevard to the CSX Bridge in the City of Niagara Falls in Niagara County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is scheduled for completion this winter.
$600,000 in ARRA funding for a project to repave 0.9 miles of County Route 83 (Back Buffalo Road) in the Town of Allegany in Cattaraugus County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is schedule for completion this winter.
$600,000 in ARRA funding for a project to repave 0.9 miles of County Route 19 (Five Mile Road) in the Town of Allegany in Cattaraugus County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is schedule for completion this winter.
$300,000 in ARRA funding for a project to repave 1.2 miles of County Route 4 (Broadway Road) in the Town of Persia in Cattaraugus County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is schedule for completion this winter.

Earlier this year, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to the ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award Western New York $75 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $32.9 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. In total, Western New York communities will receive more than $180 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 Western New York 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 Western New York. 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 Eric Massa said: “I’m proud to help deliver these important infrastructure funds to Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties. Rebuilding our roads while creating jobs is exactly why I voted for the Recovery plan.”

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter said: “Thanks to the economic recovery act we will be able to put New Yorkers back to work while repairing and strengthening our aging roads and bridges. Through this key local investment, we will improve our infrastructure and create jobs to strengthen our community.”

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.”

Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: “Tonawanda and Niagara Falls are both in need of numerous infrastructure repairs and I commend the Governor for securing funds for these much needed repairs.”

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said: “The deteriorating and often hazardous state of disrepair to the streets of Niagara Falls has plagued this city for far too long. This latest announcement of ARRA funding is a welcome addition to the growing list of road and infrastructure projects previously announced for the region. I am excited to see the large volume of construction that will take place on the streets of Niagara Falls this year.”

Assemblyman David Gantt, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, said: “Reviving the nation’s economy during this recession is an enormous and important undertaking for federal and state governments. I am pleased that stimulus dollars will go towards upgrades to North Clinton Avenue, where improvements to the sidewalks, curbs and intersection are long overdue. It is my hope that this work will not only improve the quality of the roadway but create jobs and encourage economic growth along the way.”

Assemblyman Robin Schimminger said: “These federal stimulus funds will help jumpstart the long-awaited reconstruction of the I-190/I-290 interchange in the Town of Tonawanda, including replacement of two overpasses linking the Niagara Thruway and the Youngmann Highway. The bridge from the westbound Youngmann to the southbound Thruway has had well-documented structural problems involving corroded bridge beams which had to be reinforced by NYSDOT.”