ALBANY (AP) -- Upstate New York bridge replacement, highway resurfacing and drainage projects will be the first funded under the federal stimulus package that includes billions of dollars to create and retain jobs in the state.
Gov. David Paterson says the projects include reconstruction of downtown streets in Albany, resurfacing routes 5a and 69 in Oneida County and resurfacing Interstate 690 in Syracuse. Two bridges will be replaced in Steuben County, one in Erwin and another in Campbell.
But Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat, is questioning the fast process for choosing the projects. He says state authorities and their regional planning arms have too much say over which get federal aid.
Contractors will bid on the initial 11 projects as early as March 5.
The first projects the Federal Highway Administration approved for bidding by contractors include:
- Replacement of the I-86 bridge over Rte. 415 in the town of Erwin, Steuben County.
- Reconstruction of Delaware and Madison avenues, Albany County.
- Bridge Replacement of the Rte. 415 Bridge over Wolf Run Creek in the town of Campbell, Steuben County.
- Replacement of the Bartell Road bridge over I-81 in the town of Cicero, Onondaga County.
- Resurfacing I-690 in Syracuse.
- Drainage improvements in Steuben County.
- Rehabilitation of the Route 169 Bridge over CSX rails and the Erie Canal, Herkimer County.
- Resurfacing Routes 5a and 69 in Oneida County.
- Bridge repairs in Oneida County.
- Bridge maintenance, including cleaning in Allegany, Steuben, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison and Montgomery counties.
- Culvert repairs in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.
SOURCE: NY Governor's Office.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
