FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 02, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR 59 TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT STATE

More Than $81 Million in Federal Funds Awarded for Non-Traditional Transportation Projects

Projects Use Traditional Funding and Economic Recovery Funding

Governor Paterson today announced the award of more than $81 million in federal funding to transportation projects throughout all regions of New York. These funds cover projects not eligible for traditional federal transportation funding like bike baths and historic preservation.

A total of 59 projects will be funded through the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP), with some additional funds allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Traditional TEP funds will provide close to $47 million for 34 projects, and ARRA funds will provide more than $34 million to another 25 TEP projects. The grants are expected to generate $217 million in statewide construction investment.

“These projects will make necessary improvements to our local walkways, bicycle paths and other transportation routes while spurring economic development and job creation,” Governor Paterson said. “I thank President Obama and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation for working to ensure that transportation funds were included in the economic recovery package. New York is committed to using the federal resources at our disposal to put people back to work and ensure that our State provides safe and accessible travel beyond that provided by traditional highways and bridges.”

The NYSDOT administers the Transportation Enhancement Program, which reimburses expenses for projects not eligible for conventional funds like those for highway construction and bridge repair. Instead, TEP finances transportation improvements with cultural, aesthetic, historical and environmental significance and must fit into one or more of the following federally specified categories:

Facilities for pedestrians and bicycles
Safety and education activities for pedestrians and bicyclists
Historic preservation
Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, including battlefields
Scenic or historic highway programs, including tourist and welcome center facilities
Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities, including historic railroad facilities and canals
Preservation of abandoned railway corridors, including their conversion and use as pedestrian and bicycle paths
Landscaping and other beautification initiatives
Inventory, control and removal of outdoor advertising
Archeological planning and research
Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reducing vehicle-caused wildlife mortality
Establishment of transportation-related museums

Applications for TEP may be developed by any municipality or non-profit incorporated group with the sponsorship by a municipality, State agency or eligible public authority. TEP project selection undergoes a competitive process that rates eligible applicants for environmental enhancement, connection to existing transportation system(s), encouraging smart growth, availability of matching funds and the level of community support. NYSDOT manages the review process with the participation of Metropolitan Planning Organizations that review and rank projects, and an advisory committee of State agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation, that review rankings and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Transportation and Governor.

Once awarded, projects are expected to begin promptly in compliance with federal and state regulations. Applicants must pay the total project costs up front with up to 80 percent of costs eligible for reimbursement. Eligible projects must have a total cost of at least $200,000. Reimbursement is limited to $2.5 million per project.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the ARRA into law, designating approximately $1.12 billion to New York State for transportation related projects. TEP projects that receive ARRA funding must be completed by March 3, 2012, with 100 percent reimbursement of eligible costs.

A full list of projects is provided below.

Capital Region
Projects to receive traditional TEP funds:

$2.5 million for the West Brook (Lake George) Conservation Initiative to establish a public park with nature and fitness trails in the Village of Lake George, Warren County; and
$2,450,000 for the Dix Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Saratoga County.