www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FIRST STIMULUS PROJECT TO BREAK GROUND IN WESTERN NEW YORK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 22, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FIRST STIMULUS PROJECT TO BREAK GROUND IN WESTERN NEW YORK

Paving Project to Improve Safety on Route 78 in Erie County

Governor David A. Paterson announced the start of construction on a $648,000 project to repave 1.5 miles of State Route 78, Transit Road in the Village of Depew and towns of Cheektowaga and Lancaster in Erie County. This is the first transportation infrastructure project funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to get underway in Western New York.

The Governor recently certified the project for economic recovery funds, along with 45 other projects for a total of $58 million in ARRA funding for Western New York’s transportation infrastructure. The region is expected to receive $72 million in federal economic recovery funds for highway and bridge projects.

“Investments like this one to repave Transit Road will help to make our commutes safer, while also spurring local economic development. With each groundbreaking, we achieve what President Obama and our Congressional Delegation intended when they made the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act law,” Governor Paterson said. “We will continue to certify the projects that improve our roads and bridges, create jobs and enhance our Western New York communities.”

The project will resurface pavement on Transit Road from French Road to Genesee Street. Crews will replace pavement markings and traffic signal sensors, clean the drainage system and make repairs to improve the quality of storm-water runoff. The contract was awarded to Amherst Paving, Inc., located in the town of Amherst in Erie County. Work on the project will begin in June and be completed this fall.

The following quotes were provided in support of the Western New York project:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Maintaining and updating our transportation infrastructure is critical to the safety and economic growth of Western New York and all of New York State. These funds will help make travel and the transport of goods on Transit Road safer and easier, and it will create jobs in the process.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “It is great news that we are breaking ground in Western New York. These federal dollars will go a long way to upgrade and restore our infrastructure while creating jobs and promoting long-term economic growth across New York. During these tough economic times, it is essential that we invest in our transportation infrastructure. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and our entire Congressional Delegation to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal dollars.”

Congressman Brian Higgins said: “The Recovery Act is putting people to work right here in Western New York. This project and dozens more throughout this community will provide lasting, critical investments in our infrastructure and create the foundation for economic opportunity and revival.”

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “This preventative maintenance paving project will improve the safety and extend the useful life of the State Route 78 corridor. Governor Paterson has been aggressive in utilizing economic-recovery funds quickly and efficiently so we are positioned to benefit from additional federal funds that may become available.”

Senator William Stachowski said: “I am very pleased that this first construction project from the federal stimulus funding is underway. We can expect to see tremendous benefits for commuters and other travelers. Equally important, the repaving and drainage work will provide a number of advantages to the business community and local economy of Erie County and will be a key piece to future economic development projects in our area. I look forward to the many positive changes that the completion of this project will bring for local residents and businesses.”

Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak said: “I applaud the use of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the repair of Transit Rd. This project is the first of many projects that seek to repair aging transportation infrastructure in Western New York. Not only will this project make our roads safer but the contract to repave these roads was awarded to a local business, which will create jobs in the local economy.”