GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR CENTRAL NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 84 Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $3.5 million for transportation enhancement projects in Central New York through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Transportation enhancement projects make improvements with cultural, aesthetic, historical and environmental significance. These investments will create an estimated 84 jobs for the Central New York area, including Cayuga, Cortland, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca and Tompkins counties.
“Thanks to President Obama and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation, we have been able to utilize this significant economic recovery funding to rehabilitate numerous roads and bridges that otherwise may not have received immediate improvements,” Governor Paterson said. “In doing this, we have succeeded in both creating and maintaining jobs in communities across the state and in moving New York’s economy toward recovery.”
The certifications include the following projects:
Earlier this year, Governor Paterson announced that in addition to $83.5 million in ARRA funding, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will award Central New York $88 million in highway and bridge contracts this fiscal year. The area also will receive approximately $50 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. In total, Central New York communities will receive more than $220 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 funds are 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 then are 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 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 Central New York economic recovery projects:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Investing in transportation projects is just what New York needs because it creates jobs and updates our aged infrastructure. These necessary upgrades and improvements will go a long way in ensuring the safety of New Yorkers and the longevity of our roads and bridges. I am proud to have worked so hard to secure this money and see it put to such good use.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “This is the right investment for Central New York. These federal dollars will help create new good-paying jobs, upgrade infrastructure and help rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
Congressman Michael Arcuri said: “I am pleased that Governor Paterson continues to invest economic recovery funds in local infrastructure projects. These projects are vital because they not only create local jobs, but help revitalize our downtowns and make our communities more inviting. These projects will spur economic activity and create jobs, which are necessities given the current unemployment rate. I will continue to work with the Governor and State elected officials to make sure our region’s shovel-ready priority projects receive economic recovery funds.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said: “The approval for these projects means creating and retaining jobs, taking another step to improving our economic situation. I appreciate Governor Paterson for continuing to move swiftly to certify these projects, which will use stimulus dollars we approved in Congress to improve our local transportation infrastructure and make travel for commuters and commerce that much easier.”
NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “The essential improvements being made to these highways and bridges are providing the people of the New York State with a safer and more reliable transportation system. Governor Paterson’s commitment to implementing these funds to both eligible state and local projects will create construction jobs and help reestablish the State’s economy.”
Senator David J. Valesky said: “Federal stimulus funding for the Sylvan Beach Pedestrian Walkway will provide a solid boost to the area’s economy. In addition to creating jobs, the project will enhance the village’s tourism base, creating additional opportunity for economic development.”