GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $5.7 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR HUDSON VALLEY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investment to Create an Estimated 136 Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $5.7 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 136 jobs. The area is expected to receive $167 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge projects in for Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties. “The projects will help us to improve roadways across the Hudson Valley region while also reinvigorating local economies with new construction and employment opportunities,” Governor Paterson said. “We are meeting the goals that President Obama and our Congressional Delegation set when they allocated these much-needed economic recovery funds to our State. We will continue to finance the projects that help improve our transportation infrastructure and get New Yorkers back to work.” The certifications include the following projects:
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. 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 money is 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 are then 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. NYSDOT worked 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 infrastructure projects:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “This funding from the economic recovery package is much-needed and a wise investment in our transportation infrastructure. These projects will help jumpstart the economy by creating and retaining jobs, and make critical upgrades to our decaying roads and bridges to make travel safer and easier. This is the best way to put federal dollars to work for our local economy because it will modernize infrastructure, create jobs and promote economic development across the region.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “Today’s announcement by Governor Paterson that stimulus funds we passed in Congress will be used to upgrade the Hudson Valley’s roads and bridges is great news for the safety of our residents and for continued economic recovery in the region. More than just making needed upgrades to the Hudson Valley’s transportation infrastructure, the investment of these critical federal dollars will create hundreds of good paying jobs. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and our entire Congressional delegation to ensure that New York gets its fair share of federal dollars.”
NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “The jobs retained and created by economic-recovery funding are crucial to strengthening New York State’s economy, and it has been Governor Paterson’s dedication to using these essential federal funds that has both produced and secured steady paychecks for many New Yorkers. The lifespan of Hudson Valley’s transportation infrastructure will be extended and the safety of many highways and bridges enhanced through these important state and local projects.”
Congressman Eliot Engel said: “These roadside guardrails will make life safer for drivers and pedestrians throughout Rockland. This will be $1 million well spent, and I thank the governor for acting to get federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects started. When we in Congress passed this legislation, this is what we wanted to happen – necessary projects quickly funded and work quickly started.”
Congressman Maurice Hinchey said: “These federal economic recovery funds will help improve public safety, enhance the quality of life for area residents, and promote economic growth. I am grateful that Governor Paterson has decided to allocate part of the state's share of economic recovery funding for these very worthwhile projects. In addition to paying for much-needed projects, these federal funds will spare local taxpayers from much of the cost.”
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said: “I am pleased that Governor Paterson has acted so quickly to invest these stimulus dollars in projects that will creating jobs right away while helping to stimulate the economy in a region that has been hit particularly hard by manufacturing losses and the current recession.”
Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffe said: “This critical infrastructure funding for Rockland County will make our roads safer, create jobs, and stimulate the economy. The improvements to our local infrastructure are good for Rockland and good for New York. I look forward to the completion of these important projects, so transit throughout the Hudson Valley can remain safe and reliable. I am very grateful to Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation who fought hard for this money.”
Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski said: “These essential investments in the Hudson Valley and specifically the road improvements in Rockland county will spur jobs and opportunities in the region.”