GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $17.9 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR SOUTHERN TIER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 429 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $17.9 million for transportation projects in the Southern Tier 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 429 jobs. The area is expected to receive $89 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge projects in Allegany, Steuben, Yates, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie and Sullivan counties.

“With these projects, we make real improvements to roadways and bridges throughout the Southern Tier, while also helping to reinvigorate local economies with new construction and job opportunities,” Governor Paterson said. “President Obama and the New York Congressional Delegation acted swiftly to allocate these funds and we will continue to work just as fast to meet the needs of regions across the State.”

The certifications include the following projects:

• $6.5 million in ARRA funding to resurface State Route 17 between the Chemung County Line and Sackett’s Creel in the village of Waverly and towns of Barton and Nichols, Tioga County. This project will improve 40 miles of pavement, rehabilitate eight large culverts and upgrade guide railing. Work is expected to be completed in spring 2010.
• $4.9 million in ARRA funding for a $5.2 million project to resurface State Route 434 from the Court Street Bridge to the eastern intersection with Marshland Road in the village and town of Owego, Tioga County. This project will improve 11 miles of pavement, replace one traffic signal, and upgrade guide railing. Work is expected to be completed in August 2010.
• $2.2 million in ARRA funding to paint 22 local bridges in Sullivan County. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
• $1.4 million of ARRA funding for a TEP pedestrian safety project along State Route 7 in the town of Cobleskill, Schoharie County. The project will add new sidewalks, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, traffic signals, and a landscaped median along Route State 7 in front of the State University of New York at Cobleskill from Schoharie Parkway to MacArthur Avenue. Construction is expected to be completed in winter 2011.

• $680,000 in ARRA funding to resurface approximately one mile of County Route 7 from the Sullivan County line to Beaver Kill Road in the town of Colchester, Delaware County. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
• $589,000 in ARRA funding for a Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) project to complete the Genesee Valley Greenway in the village of Cuba, Allegany County. The project will include improving existing trail, constructing two new footbridges, installing gates and signage, building a parking lot and installing bicycle racks and new sidewalks. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
• $564,000 of ARRA funding for a TEP project to construct new pedestrian facilities and a scenic overlook to provide pedestrian access to the waterfront in the village of Hancock, Delaware County. Construction is expected to be completed in winter 2011.

• $514,000 in ARRA funding for a TEP project to enhance landscaping and to replace or install new light fixtures and sidewalks, sidewalk ramps and pavement markings in the village of Andover, Allegany County. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

• $333,000 of ARRA funding for a TEP project to construct pedestrian facilities in the village of Monticello, Sullivan County. The project will include repairing existing sidewalk and building new sidewalk to connect residential areas, businesses, and the Monticello Central School. Construction is expected to be completed in winter 2011.

• $94,000 in ARRA funding for a project to replace approximately 132 signs on various county roads in Sullivan County. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

Earlier this month, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to the ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award the Southern Tier $166 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $50 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding. In total, Southern Tier communities will receive more than $305 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 Southern Tier 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 Southern Tier’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 Southern Tier’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 the Southern Tier’s transportation infrastructure will be extended and the safety of many highways and bridges enhanced through these important State and local projects.”

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.”

Congressman Scott Murphy said: “This funding will provide critical improvements to our aging roads and bridges, putting shovels in the ground and people back to work while making our roads and bridges safer. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Paterson to implement the recovery funds to create jobs and turn our economy around.”

Congressman Paul Tonko said: “When we passed the Recovery Act in Congress we promised that the money would be put to work quickly to create jobs and repair our infrastructure – and that’s just what is happening. These newly certified projects will soon get underway, people will be put to work, and dollars will be spent in our local communities. In partnership with Governor Paterson and local officials, we are taking steps towards improving our roads and bridges and strengthening our economy.”

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said: “This funding is a vital investment in Sullivan County and will enable important transportation infrastructure improvements, create jobs and stimulate the economy. I'm grateful to our Congressional Delegation for their diligent efforts to receive this funding for New York as well as Governor Paterson's Economic Recovery Cabinet for identifying these projects.”