FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $1.1 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR ROCHESTER AREA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 26 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $1.1 million for a transportation project in the Rochester area through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This investment will provide for essential highway improvements that will create an estimated 26 jobs. The area is expected to receive $74.1 million in economic recovery funding for bridge and road work in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne and Wyoming 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 certification announced today provides $1.1 million of ARRA funding for the City of Rochester to administer a project that will make highway enhancements and safety improvements in the La Avenida section of the city on North Clinton Avenue between Upper Falls Boulevard and Avenue D. This streetscape project includes lighting, sidewalk repairs, decorative walls, new bus shelters, landscaping elements and street furniture, such as bicycle racks and garbage receptacles. The project is expected to be completed by next spring.

Earlier year, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to the ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award the Rochester area $82 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $29 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. In total, Rochester area communities will receive more than $185 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 Rochester 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 the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region. 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.”

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter said: “Thanks to the economic recovery act we will be able to put Western New Yorkers back to work while repairing and strengthening our aging roads and bridges. For example, some funding will be provided for La Avenida to redo the road and streetscape on North Clinton between Upper Falls Boulevard and Avenue D. The project will support the creation of a stable commercial corridor along North Clinton, a neighborhood asset with tremendous economic potential. This is just one of the projects that will take place to improve our infrastructure and 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.”