www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $13.6 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR NORTH COUNTRY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 11, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $13.6 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR NORTH COUNTRY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investment to Create an Estimated 326 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $13.6 million for transportation projects in the North Country 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 326 jobs. This total is more than the $34 million allotment previously announced for the North Country because bids received on some individual projects have been less than their certified amount, allowing room for additional projects to be certified. The area includes St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Lewis and Jefferson counties.

“In replacing the Willow Street bridge and repaving West Road, we fund the shovel-ready infrastructure projects that will improve our local transportation systems and help to get people back to work,” Governor Paterson said. “I am pleased to certify these projects that will improve our North Country transportation infrastructure and will continue to dedicate the federal funds the way that President Obama and our Congressional Delegation intended.”

“The road to economic recovery is receiving the ultimate reconstruction make-over thanks to the efforts made by President Obama and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation to secure this imperative funding,” 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 certifications include the following projects:

$4.1 million in ARRA funding to replace the County Route 39 bridge over the Grasse River in the town of Louisville, St. Lawrence County. This project involves removing the historic stone arch bridge and building a new steel structure adjacent to the existing bridge. A plaque will document the history of the stone bridge and a retaining wall will be constructed using stones from the original bridge. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.

$1.4 million in ARRA funding to replace the Willow Street bridge over the Salmon River in the village of Malone, Franklin County. This project involves removing the existing steel structure and building a new concrete structure at the same location. Included in the project will be the installation of a new village water main. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

$1.8 million in ARRA funding for a $2 million project to pave County Route 29, West Road, in the town of Martinsburg, Lewis County. The paving involves the rehabilitation of nearly three miles of roadway from Cemetery Road to State Route 26. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

$1.5 million in ARRA funding for a $1.7 million project to replace the Narrows Road bridge over the Chateaugay Narrows in the town of Ellenburg, Clinton County. The new bridge will have increased vertical clearance, allowing for easier movement of recreational boats along this stretch of the Chateaugay Narrows. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.

$2.2 million in ARRA funding for a $2.4 million for a project to replace the Silver Lake Road Bridge over the Saranac River in the town of Black Brook, Clinton County. The new steel bridge will be constructed of concrete instead of steel used in the current structure and will be at the same location. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.

$833,000 in ARRA funding for a Transportation Enhancement Project (TEP) project in the village of Rouses Point, Clinton County, will restore the National Register-listed Delaware and Hudson Railroad Station. In addition to replacing the roof, the restoration is expected to include repairing drainage, chimney work and façade improvements. The project aims to develop the building into a museum of the village’s history, which has centered a great deal on the railroad, and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2011.

$495,000 in ARRA funding for a TEP project in Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, to build six miles of non-motorized, multi-use trail in and around the village of Sackets Harbor. The trail system will link existing local historical landmarks, such as the Sackets Harbor Battlefield, with existing trails, Sackets Harbor Central School and Madison Barracks. The project supports the community’s efforts to develop viable “green” transportation and recreation opportunities and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2010.

$1.45 million in ARRA funding for a TEP project to build a multi-use trail to link the Market Street retail corridor with both Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County. The trail will connect to Sandstoner Park and the Potsdam Commerce Park and help to integrate the educational and local communities by providing residents easy access to the universities’ academic, performing arts and athletic centers. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 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 North Country area $25 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $23 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the State budget. In total, North Country communities will receive more than $82 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. The department 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 North Country 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 North Country’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 North Country’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 North Country’s transportation infrastructure will be extended and the safety of many highways and bridges enhanced through these important State and local projects.”

Congressman John M. McHugh said: “Infrastructure funding is critically important in the North Country and I am very pleased that federal funding is being directed to a variety of transportation projects in the 23rd Congressional District. This funding provides the resources necessary for local communities to make much-needed improvements that will benefit local residents and businesses. I want to thank Governor Paterson for selecting these vitally needed initiatives for the North Country.”

Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: “These investments in the infrastructure of Northern New York will help create and sustain jobs, giving the region the footing it needs to emerge from this economic downturn. This $6 million investment in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties will go toward much needed bridge repairs and two trail projects that will help create jobs, improve quality of life and enhance tourism. I want to thank the Governor for authorizing these projects and our federal representatives for making this important federal funding available.”

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell said: “The projects spurred by this historic infusion of federal funds will integrate our local infrastructure with commercial, educational and technological opportunities, providing a true link to the jobs of tomorrow.”