Gov. Cuomo Dedicates $75 Million for Road Repaving Projects

Potholes have popped up everywhere in the Hudson Valley following this year’s harsh winter, and to help address the problem Gov. Andrew Cuomo is dedicating $75 million to repave 428 lane miles of state highways throughout New York, he announced.

Funding for these projects was accelerated into this construction season in order to repair widespread damage from the deep frost.

“It’s important to keep the state’s highways in top shape, and after another harsh winter, we’re expediting critical repair projects to ensure the roads are safer for New Yorkers,” said Cuomo in a statement. “This funding will speed up much-needed resurfacing and rebuilding efforts, which is good for motorists across the state.”

These accelerated paving projects are in addition to more than $437 million in capital construction funds dedicated to paving an estimated 2,311 miles of state roads in the 2015-2016 State Fiscal Year.

Depending on the location, the New York State Department of Transportation’s resurfacing projects will include paving over sections of rough road, removing the worn top layer of pavement from all travel lanes and shoulders, repairing base concrete and/or asphalt and installing a new asphalt riding surface. Wherever practical, pavement that is removed will be recycled and reused, either at the same location or in future construction. Traffic signal vehicle detectors will be replaced and new pavement markings will be installed as needed.

In the Hudson Valley, the following roads are slated for repaving:

• Route 59 from Route 17 to Route 202, from Route 202 to just west of Hemion Road, and from the New Jersey state line to Route 59 in Rockland County
• Route 22 from Route 20 to Old Post Road in Lebanon Springs, Columbia County
• Route 22 from Crest Avenue to Sprague Road in Eastchester, Westchester County
• Route 6 from Route 293 to the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Highlands and Woodbury, Orange County
• Route 123 from Conant Valley Road to Route 35 in the town of Lewisboro, Westchester County
• Route 172 from Route 22 in the town of Bedford to Route 137 in the town of Pound Ridge, Westchester County
• Route 116 from Route 22 to Route 121 in the town of North Salem, Westchester County
• Route 312 from Route 6 to Interstate 84 in the town of Southeast, Putnam County
• Route 120A from Route 120 to Bowman Avenue in the village of Rye Brook, Westchester County

“Coming off a particularly harsh winter, many of our roadways—including Route 22 in the Eastchester portion of my Congressional District, and the Major Deegan Expressway which runs through my district—are in disrepair and in need of immediate resurfacing.” said Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Governor Cuomo’s allocation of $75 million in additional funds for accelerated paving projects will improve both the flow of traffic and the flow of commerce in New York. I applaud the Governor for taking this extra step to help all New York commuters.”

In addition to the Hudson Valley, roads on Long Island, the Capital region and other parts of the state will be repaved.

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey agreed that the brutal cold and ice last winter really took a toll on the roads. ”Here in the Lower Hudson Valley, across New York, and throughout the entire country, we need to be investing more to fix crumbling infrastructure, especially when extreme weather can cause major damage. I support a long-term reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund so states can have the funds necessary to perform routine work without placing the burden on local taxpayers, and I will continue to work with Governor Cuomo and local officials to ensure our roads are operable and safe for people to use.”

Added Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, “This investment in our roads is long overdue – residents of the Hudson Valley have seen first-hand the damage that severe winter weather has had on our infrastructure. Paving our roads will make it safer and easier for residents to get to school and work, and will grow our local economy by creating good-paying jobs,”