GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $9 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR ROCHESTER AREA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 216 Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $9 million for transportation projects in the Rochester area 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 216 jobs. The area is expected to receive $74 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge projects in Monroe, Orleans, Wayne, Genesee, Ontario, Wyoming and Livingston counties.
“These investments, whether to resurface roadways in Genesee County or improve Monroe County’s bridges, will make real improvements to our communities’ transportation infrastructure and help to reinvigorate our local economies,” Governor Paterson said. “I am pleased to certify these projects and put these federal funds to the use intended when President Obama and our Congressional Delegation enacted the economic recovery legislation.”
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 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 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 the NYSDOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. NYSDOT 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 area 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 Rochester / Finger Lakes 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 Rochester region’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 Rochester’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.”
Assemblyman David Koon said: “I am pleased that the Rochester area continues to receive much-needed federal stimulus funding for infrastructure improvements and job creation. Despite the current state of fiscal uncertainty, it’s encouraging to know that the stimulus package is serving its purpose. We can continue to make our highways and roads safer while simultaneously making strides in the way of economic growth and development.”