GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $4.8 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDING FOR SOUTHERN TIER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Economic Recovery Investments to Create an Estimated 115 Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $4.8 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 115 jobs. The area is expected to receive $89 million in economic recovery funding for road and bridge work in Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga and Yates counties.

Governor Paterson also announced the certification of an additional $1.6 million in economic recovery funding for a transportation enhancement project. Transportation enhancement projects make improvements with cultural, aesthetic, historical and environmental significance. In April, Governor Paterson announced that through the ARRA, the State had been allocated a total of $34 million in economic recovery funding for transportation enhancement projects.

“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:

• $1.9 million in ARRA funding to paint the bridge carrying County Route 48 over the Susquehanna River in the town of Vestal and village of Endicott, Broome County. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
• $1.6 million in ARRA funding for a transportation enhancement project to build a 1.4 mile shared use path and install right-of-way fencing in the town of Vestal, Broome County. The $1.8 million project also will receive $200,000 in non-enhancement ARRA funding. Work is expected to be completed in the winter of 2010.
• $1.5 million in ARRA funding to replace the bridge carrying Southside Drive over Pumpelly Creek in the town and village of Owego, Tioga County. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
• $1.2 million in ARRA funding for a $1.3 million project to replace the bridge carrying County Route 34 over Johnson Creek in the town of Norwich, Chenango County. Work is expected to be completed in by the end of 2010.

Earlier this year, 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, which the recovery funds enabled to be restored to this level in the state budget. 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 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 Southern Tier 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 the Southern Tier. 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.”

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.”

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said: “This is very exciting news for the Town of Vestal. This funding will enhance Vestal's plan for a major extension of the popular Rail Trail. It will also be a significant addition to the Greater Binghamton Greenway Project; a multiple county network of trails that will eventually include thirty-seven miles of trail for public use. I want to thank Governor Paterson for his continued leadership; ensuring that the stimulus money is spent wisely.”