Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Aug. 2 $206 million in new state and federal funding to strategically enhance the safety and optimization of freight goods movement across New York. This funding, provided in support of the 1,200 highway miles in New York state designated as part of the National Highway Freight Network, is targeted toward infrastructure and operational improvements that strengthen economic competitiveness, reduce congestion, decrease the cost of freight transportation, improve reliability and increase productivity. The investments also are intended to facilitate the projected 50 percent growth in freight tonnage carried within the State by 2040.
"The efficient movement of commerce is critical to the economic competitiveness of our state," Cuomo said. "By investing in these critical projects, we are continuing to support more than three million freight-related jobs and the global shipment of goods produced and manufactured in every region of the state."
"We are investing in infrastructure initiatives and projects across the state to improve transportation, reduce congestion and decrease costs of travel," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul." This funding will enhance the movement and safety of freight goods and strengthen our overall economic competitiveness. These projects will advance long-term growth and strengthen the economy of New York State."
This funding complements more than $1.5 billion in highway freight-related enhancement projects previously announced across the state, including $873 million for the replacement of both spans of the Kosciuszko Bridge in the New York City region; $50 million for the construction of the new Albany Airport Connector Road/Exit 3 off of Interstate 87/Adirondack Northway in the Capital region; $55.8 million for geometrics improvements along Route 112 from Interstate 495 to Granny Road in the Long Island region; and $63.1 million for reconstruction of the interchange at Interstate 390/490 in the Finger Lakes region.
These highway freight projects were identified through the development of New York State's first comprehensive Statewide Freight Plan. The Statewide Freight Plan, prepared by the New York State Department of Transportation, included extensive consultation with a wide range of public and private subject matter experts in the areas of operations and logistics; warehousing and distribution; shipping and receiving; and infrastructure owners. The Statewide Freight Plan is intended to provide a framework to address current and near-term state of good repair improvements for freight infrastructure, as well as a plan for mid-term needs and efficient long-term growth in the freight system. The goal-driven plan also identifies operational and policy issues to be addressed to ensure optimization of the state's essential highway freight network. The projects identified through this process will help alleviate idling; mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases; and complement the governor's efforts to electrify truck fleets.
A complete list of National Highway Freight Program projects includes:
Capital Region
• $1.5 million toward intersection improvements on Route 67 to enhance access to the Norfolk Southern Mechanicville Intermodal Facility (new)
• $6.7 million toward rehabilitation of the Interstate 90 bridge over Fuller Road in the city of Albany (previously announced)
• $50 million towards construction of the new Albany Airport Connector Road/Exit 3 off of Interstate 87/Adirondack Northway (previously announced)
Mohawk Valley
• $6.0 million towards construction of an eastbound climbing lane on Route 5S/intersection improvements on Route 27 in the town of Florida (new)
• $3.4 million toward increasing the number of travel lanes between Briggs Street and Prindle Avenue in the city of Johnstown (new)
• $4.7 million toward Increasing the number of travel lanes on Route 30A between Townsend Avenue and Briggs Street in the city of Johnstown (previously announced)
Central New York
• $5.6 million to deploy new freeway incident management technology enhancements along Interstates 81, 481 and 690 (new)
• $17.5 million toward rehabilitation of the bridges carrying Thompson Road (Route 635) over Interstate 690 in the city of Syracuse (new)
Finger Lakes
• $13.2 million toward replacement of the Interstate 490 bridge over the Erie Canal in the town of Perinton (new)
• $4.5 million to increase vertical clearance/replace the Route 21 bridge over the New York state Thruway in the town of Manchester (previously announced)
• $63.1 million toward construction of the Lyell Avenue ramps at the interchange of Interstate 390/490 in the in the town of Gates (previously announced)
• $6.4 million toward reconstruction of the southern section of Mount Read Boulevard in the city of Rochester (previously announced)
Western New York
• $10.6 million toward rehabilitation of the Ohio Street Lift bridge in the city of Buffalo (new)
• $10.1 million toward construction of a new travel lane from the Interstate 90 interchange at Route 78 to Route 33 (Genesee Street) in the town of Cheektowaga (new)
North Country
• $18.0 million to the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority toward dredging; critical dock-wall repairs; and bridge structural repairs (new)
• $8.3 million to reconstruct the Route 342 bridge over Interstate 81/add a travel lane in the town of Pamelia (new)
• $6.9 million toward the replacement of three bridges on Route 11 in the town of Moira (new)
• $4.3 million to remove the Delaware and Hudson railroad bridge/increase vertical clearance over Interstate 87 in the city of Plattsburgh (new)
Mid-Hudson Valley
• $25.4 million toward reconfiguration of interchange 105 on Route 17 in the town of Thompson (new)
• $1.4 million toward construction of new travel lanes at the intersection of Route 9 and Interstates 87 and 287 in the town of Greenburgh (new)
• $66.1 million toward roadway renewal on Interstate 684 near Interstate 84 in Putnam County (previously announced)
Southern Tier
• $9.0 million toward safety enhancements/shoulder widening and horizontal curve flattening along Route 8 in the towns of Norwich, New Berlin, and Columbus (new)
• $2.6 million toward replacement of the Cohocton bridge/increase vertical clearance on Interstate 86 in the town of Bath (new)
• $3.1 million toward rehabilitation of the County Route 56/Interstate 86 Bridge in the town of Chemung (previously announced)
Long Island
• $26.6 million to deploy parkway truck intrusion mitigation and safety enhancement measures at the interchange of Interstate 495 and Crooked Hill Road (County Route 13), including the construction of an interchange along the southbound Sagtikos State Parkway ramp and Crooked Hill Road in Suffolk County (new)
• $55.8 million to enhance geometrics/traffic movement along Route 112 from Interstate 495 to Granny Road in Suffolk County (previously announced)
New York City
• $35.7 million toward safety and mobility enhancements along the Long Island Expressway (I-495) between 48th Street and Little Neck Parkway in Queens County, including lengthening entrance and exit ramps and construction of a new auxiliary lane on Eastbound Long Island Expressway (I-495) between Clearview Expressway (I-295) and Springfield Boulevard (new)
• $873.0 million toward replacement of Kosciuszko Bridge over Newtown Creek in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens (previously announced)
• $144.3 million towards rehabilitation of three bridges along the Cross-Bronx Expressway High Bridge Interchange/Interstate 95 and Interstate 87 (previously announced)
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