June 30, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $6.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR HUDSON VALLEY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 156 Jobs
Regional Highlights
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $6.5 million for transportation projects in the Hudson Valley 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 156 jobs. The area is expected to receive $168 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge work in Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Governor Paterson also announced the certification of an additional $894,000 in economic recovery funding 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:
- $5.5 million in ARRA funding to resurface Route 987G, Taconic State Parkway, from north of Underhill Avenue to Route 134 in Yorktown in Westchester County. The 3.3-mile project will include removing worn, distressed pavement and replacing it with new asphalt and pavement markings and improving drainage. Construction is expected to be completed by August 2010.
- $1 million in ARRA funding to upgrade and modernize existing traffic and pedestrian signal equipment in the city of Yonkers in Westchester County. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2010.
- $894,000 in ARRA funding for a transportation enhancement project to construct sidewalks from the Gardiner Library to the Gardiner Reformed Church in the town of Gardiner in Ulster County. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
Earlier this month, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to the ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award the Hudson Valley $94 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $38 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. In total, Hudson Valley communities will receive more than $300 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 Hudson Valley 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 Hudson Valley. 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 Eliot Engel said: “This is federal money coming down to the local level to help the economy, and in Yonkers to enhance the safety of pedestrians and drivers. I thank Governor Paterson for his rapid response in using the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve the lives of residents throughout the State.”
Congressman John Hall said: “Rebuilding New York's crumbling infrastructure creates jobs that by their very nature cannot be outsourced. By working quickly and cooperatively, we are able to bring these federal tax dollars back home for good use in Hudson Valley communities. We are spending recovery funds wisely by focusing on projects that will create long-term value for years to come. Fixing America's roads, bridges, and public transit will improve all of our quality of life by making our roads and bridges safer, reducing traffic delays, improving our air quality, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “These investments in our communities’ livability will both create jobs and make our region an even greater place to live, work, and do business. I was pleased to have advocated successfully for transportation investments in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and to have helped pass this critical stimulus into law.”
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 Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: “The $1 million in ARRA funding to upgrade and modernize traffic and pedestrian signal equipment in the City of Yonkers will serve as an important investment in public safety and will provide a savings for our taxpayers. While this project will make travel in our City safer and improve our infrastructure, it will also save local tax dollars for other important projects and services, create more jobs and serve as an additional boost for our local economy. I am pleased to work with Governor Paterson to ensure that the federal stimulus funding that has been allocated by President Obama and our Congressional Representatives continues to be utilized for projects that achieve these important goals.”
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said: “These stimulus funds will enable important transportation infrastructure projects across Ulster County. Improved pedestrian walkways in the Town of Gardiner will help enhance our community while keeping all travelers safe. I am pleased that Governor Paterson has acted so quickly to invest stimulus dollars in projects like these and continues to ensure our stimulus money is spent wisely.”
