GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR LONG ISLAND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investment to Create an Estimated 96 Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $4 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 96 jobs. The area is expected to receive $154 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge projects in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“The rehabilitation of Long Island’s roads and bridges makes for safer commutes and helps us to rebuild stronger local economies. I am pleased that we are able to put the funds that President Obama and our Congressional Delegation allocated to use across our State,” Governor Paterson said. “The investments made will create jobs and get New York back onto the renovated road to success, complete with long-lasting improvements to bridges and roadways, which will ensure a safe and efficient trip into a bright future.”
The certification includes the following project:
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 Long Island infrastructure projects:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “This funding from the economic recovery package is much-needed and a wise investment for Long Island’s 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 Long Island’s 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 Long Island’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 Long Island’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 Long Island’s transportation infrastructure will be extended and the safety of many highways and bridges enhanced through these important state and local projects.”
Senator Brian X. Foley said: “It is crucial that we put Long Islanders back to work as quickly as possible so we can turn the corner on this recession and help working-families prosper. This $4 million commitment to improve local roadways such as Carleton Avenue, Motor Parkway, and the Long Island Expressway is a substantial investment in Suffolk County’s local economy. All told, Long Island will receive more than $400 million in highway and bridge funding. This represents a substantial victory in our efforts to ensure that Long Islanders continue to get their fair share.”
Assemblyman Phil Ramos said: “The continued improvements to our roadways are a necessity for ensuring that our neighborhoods and our community are running smoothly. These investments will help bring the much needed jobs to the area and help to ease the traffic congestion that has become such a problem”.