New York Governor Paterson Announces Start Of Construction On First Oneida County Stimulus Project

Routes 5A and 69 Resurfacing Underway; Includes Curbing, Drainage, Sidewalks and Signal Replacement Work

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the start of construction on the $2.4 million project to resurface State Routes 5A and 69 in Oneida County, the first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) construction contract awarded in the Mohawk Valley.

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New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Utica Regional Director Michael Shamma today broke ground on the project, which was certified by Governor Paterson in March. Crews will resurface eight miles of pavement on Route 69 in the villages of Oriskany and Whitesboro and the town of Whitestown, and Route 5A in the village of Yorkville and town of Whitestown.

Regional Director Shamma was joined by Congressman Michael Arcuri, State Senator Joe Griffo, Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, and Vice President/General Manager Dan Meehan of Hansen, New York, at a construction site along Route 69 in Whitesboro to announce the project.

“Today we see federal economic recovery funds at work in New York State, creating jobs and making critical improvements to the conditions of our roads and bridges, a mere 15 weeks after President Obama signed the economic recovery legislation,” Governor Paterson said. “This funding is putting people to work in heavy construction while providing a safer, smoother ride for local motorists. I extend my sincere thanks to the President and our entire New York Congressional Delegation for fighting to secure this funding for New York.”

New York is expected to receive $26.7 billion in ARRA funding. Economic recovery funds coming to New York 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 these projects are then eligible to be considered for economic recovery funds. This resurfacing project was approved by the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Studies to be eligible for economic-recovery funding.

Similarly, regions of New York without MPOs are served by NYSDOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. NYSDOT is working with local officials and the Governor’s Economic Recovery Cabinet to identify priority shovel-ready projects eligible for recovery funds.

NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “Routes 5A and 69 are critical transportation links in Oneida County, and this resurfacing project will improve safety and ensure mobility for the thousands of motorists who travel these roads each day. I am proud to have worked with Governor Paterson to channel these federal funds into hundreds of transportation projects around the State that create jobs and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “The recovery package was designed to jumpstart the economy by creating and retaining jobs, and these federal dollars will go a long way toward achieving that goal by breaking ground on these long overdue infrastructure projects in Oneida County. This is the best way to put federal dollars to work for our local economy because it will make critical improvements to our infrastructure, create jobs and promote economic development across the region.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “This is great news for Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley. With the resurfacing of routes 5A and 69, we will immediately create jobs and update our infrastructure to promote long-term economic growth, get New Yorkers back to work and the economy moving again. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and our Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share of federal dollars.”

Congressman Michael Arcuri said: “This funding is putting people to work in construction jobs while providing safer, better roads that bring customers to local businesses. I will continue to work with the President and all of my colleagues in the New York Congressional Delegation to fight to secure more funding like this for New York State.”

Senator Joseph A. Griffo said: “I credit the DOT for their quick identification of local infrastructure projects that can be started immediately, that was the intent of the President and the Congress in getting these infusion funds to the states and I look forward to the completion of these projects so transit throughout Oneida County can remain reliable and safe. I commend Governor Paterson for his leadership and support of the Mohawk Valley.”

Assemblywoman Roann Destito said: “Resurfacing work and upgrades to Routes 69 and 5A will assist commuters and businesses in Oneida County and put people back to work at a time when the Mohawk Valley’s economy has been hit hard by the recession. This was the intent of the federal stimulus program; to create jobs while improving infrastructure. I thank Governor Paterson, Representative Arcuri and the rest of the New York Congressional Delegation for their leadership in helping our State recover from this recession.”

Source: New York Governor