NYSDOT ANNOUNCES AWARD OF FIRST ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROJECT IN SOUTHERN TIER REGION 9

Curbs and Sidewalks in Broome County to Be Made ADA Compliant

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced the award of a $405,781 sidewalk improvement project to bring sidewalks and curbs along state highways throughout Broome County into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The construction contract was awarded to Nelson and Streeter Construction of Pine City, Chemung County. The project is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the economic stimulus program enacted by Congress earlier this year.

The project recently was certified by Governor David Paterson for economic-recovery funding. A total investment of $53.6 million in ARRA funding is expected to be certified for highway and bridge projects in Southern Tier communities.

“This sidewalk and curb improvement project will enhance safety and access for pedestrians in Broome County,” said NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee. “Governor David Paterson and his team have worked hard to get economic-recovery funds flowing quickly to projects like this that will create local jobs, which, in turn, help to bolster our economy.”

"These federal funds will ensure that disabled residents and visitors will have safe and easy access to local sidewalks and crossings," Congressman Maurice Hinchey said. "At the same time, this funding will help create local construction jobs, which will contribute to the area's overall economy. I'm pleased that more and more of the funding we made available through the federal economic recovery bill is making its way back to communities throughout New York."

Sidewalks and curbs on state roads in the town of Union and the villages of Johnson City and Endicott will be replaced to comply with current ADA standards. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

Acting Commissioner Gee noted the significant support of State Senator Thomas Libous and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo in delivering this regional transportation project.

The economic-recovery funds coming to New York State 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 are candidates for economic-recovery funds. The sidewalk and curb replacement project was approved by the Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study (BMTS) to be eligible to receive ARRA funding.

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 shovel-ready projects eligible for recovery funds.