www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $7.9 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 11, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $7.9 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 189 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $7.9 million for transportation projects in the Western New York area through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These investments will provide for essential highway and bridge repair projects, as well as other long-term improvements that will create an estimated 189 jobs. The area is expected to receive $72 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge projects in Chautauqua, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Erie counties.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided the needed resources to upgrade Western New York’s worn infrastructure, helping to reinvigorate local economies and get New Yorkers back to work,” Governor Paterson said. “President Obama and our Congressional Delegation recognized that these investments are critical for our economic recovery. I am pleased that with these certifications, we deliver critical resources to our Western New York communities.”

The certifications include the following projects:

$3.3 million of ARRA funding for a $4.1 million project to replace the Cedar Street Bridge over Tonawanda Creek in the town of Newstead, Erie County, and the town of Royalton, Niagara County. The bridge is in poor condition and will be reconstructed so that it can remain open. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2010.
$1.8 million of ARRA funding for a project to repave a two-mile section of Townline Road in the towns of Pendleton and Wheatfield in Niagara County to address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2010.
$220,000 of ARRA funding to conduct guiderail end replacements at approximately 50 locations throughout Niagara County to meet current federal standards. The project is expected to be completed in winter 2009.
$50,000 of ARRA funding to improve storm water management along Tonawanda Creek Road in the town of Pendleton, Niagara County. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2009.
$1.4 million of ARRA funding to repave 5.6 miles of Hunt Road, County Route 82/32, from County Route 43 to the Jamestown city line in the towns of Busti, Ellicott, and North Harmony, Chautauqua County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. The project is expected to be completed in winter 2009.
$1.2 million of ARRA funding to repave 1.7 miles of State Route 417 (West State Street) from the Olean city line to State Route 16 in the city of Olean, Cattaraugus County. The project will address deteriorating pavement conditions. Project completion is spring 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 Western New York area $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. 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 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 Western New York 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 Western New York’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 Western New York’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 Western New York’s transportation infrastructure will be extended and the safety of many highways and bridges enhanced through these important state and local projects.”

Congressman Eric Massa said: “My primary focus is on job creation and tax relief. Because of the Recovery Package, we are now rebuilding our local roads and bridges, while at the same time putting people back to work. I voted for the Stimulus because it was projected to create and protect 7,500 jobs right here in New York's 29th Congressional District and get our economy back on track.”

Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: “Counties across Western New York are in desperate need of infrastructure repairs such as highway and bridge improvements. I am happy to see that this vital funding has been secured for Western New York.”

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said: “This most recent announcement of $1.8 million for road repairs in the Town of Wheatfield and $220,000 for guide rail replacement throughout the county highlight our commitment to rebuilding the infrastructure of Niagara County. These projects, combined with the numerous projects already announced will be key in our long term regional redevelopment efforts and are essential in our comprehensive plan to invigorate our dormant regional economy.”