FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 22, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FIRST STIMULUS PROJECTS TO BREAK GROUND IN THE ROCHESTER REGION

Construction Begins on Four Highway Improvement Projects

Governor David A. Paterson announced that the ground breaking of the first transportation infrastructure projects in the Rochester area funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) began this week. Construction started on four projects totaling $4.5 million, including the resurfacing State Route 77 in Genesee County; drainage improvements on State Route 39 in Wyoming County; resurfacing State Route 36 in Livingston County; and crack sealing on selected State highways in Genesee and Monroe counties.

The Governor recently certified these projects, along with 27 others for the Rochester area. The region has received $62.3 million for transportation infrastructure, including $61.1 million in federal economic recovery funds. The area is expected to receive $74 million in ARRA funding for highway and bridge projects.

“President Obama and our partners in Congress were diligent in securing these federal stimulus funds that will bolster our transportation infrastructure and create jobs in communities across New York State,” Governor Paterson said. “Maintenance of roads and bridges is essential to strengthening the economy and preserving the quality of life throughout the Rochester region.”

A $3 million project to resurface a section of State Route 77 in the towns of Darien and Pembroke and a section of State Route 33 in the village of Corfu in Genesee County has been awarded to Keeler Construction of Albion in Orleans County. The project will resurface the 8.5-mile section of Route 77 from Route 5 in Pembroke to just south of Route 20 in Darien and the 1.5-mile section of Route 33 within the Corfu village limits. The top layer of worn, deteriorated asphalt will be removed and replaced with a new layer of asphalt and fresh pavement markings. The six-foot-wide shoulders also will be resurfaced. This paving work will extend the life of the pavement by 8 to 10 years. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

A $650,000 project to install edge drains along an 8-mile section of Route 39 in the town of Arcade in Wyoming County has been awarded to Sicar Management and Construction of Elma in Erie County. The edge drain alleviates water underneath the highway, which can cause damage to the pavement including cracks, heaving and potholes. Drains will be installed on both sides of the roadway and the work will include digging trenches on the road shoulders and filling them with stone; constructing an outlet so that water drains from beneath the roadway to trenches; repaving and restoring pavement markings. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

A $597,000 preventative maintenance project to repave 2.3 miles of State Route 36 in the town of Dansville, Livingston County, has been awarded to CP Ward of Scottsville, Monroe County. The project stretches from the Steuben County line to State Route 63, excluding the central business district section. The top layer of asphalt will be removed and replaced to extend the life of the pavement by approximately 10 to 12 years. Drainage also will be installed along the side of the road to improve sub-surface soil conditions to preserve the life the pavement. The project is expected to be completed this fall.

A $230,000 million project to seal cracks along approximately 102 miles in Monroe and Genesee counties has been awarded to AnnSeal, Inc. of Johnson City in Broome County. By sealing the surface when cracks first appear, the pavement will remain watertight, slowing subsequent deterioration. Cracks in pavement at 10 locations will be sealed, including select sections of the following State highways: the Inner Loop, the intersection of Route 19 at Route 31/31A, and State Routes 19, 31, 33, 96, 104 and 441. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.


The following quotes were provided in support of the Rochester area projects:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Maintaining and updating our transportation infrastructure is critical to the safety and economic growth of the Rochester Finger Lakes Area and all of New York State. These funds will help make travel and the transport of goods on State highways in Genesee and Monroe counties including Routes 77 and 39 safer and easier. These projects will also create jobs and ensure the integrity of our roads for years to come.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “It is great news that we are breaking ground in Rochester. 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 Eric Massa said: “I’m proud to help announce these projects designed to improve our local roads and our local economy. The Recovery Plan was all about creating jobs and having something to show for it at the end of the day and I’m glad to see these critical funds coming into our region.”

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter said: “We enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create jobs and strengthen regional economies. I am pleased we are putting these critical federal dollars to use in our Rochester community to not only create jobs and boost economic activity but to strengthen our infrastructure for the future.”

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “These highway improvement projects are perfect examples of how preventative maintenance can keep our transportation system in good repair and extend the useful life of our structures and facilities. 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.”

Assemblyman David Koon said: “I’m pleased to see the swift implementation of construction projects on Monroe County highways following Governor Paterson’s securing of federal stimulus funding for the Rochester area. These projects, which are now underway, will make for safer travel on roadways while simultaneously bolstering the upstate economy through the creation of new jobs in the region.”