Downtown Syracuse
/ file photo
SYRACUSE -- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand canceled a planned tour of a Syracuse downtown neighborhood that's getting millions of dollars in federal funds to make changes to the streetscape.
Gillibrand, fellow New York Sen. Charles Schumer and other members of the Syracuse area's congressional delegation helped secure a $10 million federal transportation grant for the city's Connective Corridor project.
The federal money will go toward a $17 million project to build new sidewalks, benches, energy-efficient lighting and other improvements in a corridor connecting the city's downtown area with Syracuse University.
“Thanks to this federal investment, the Connective Corridor will finally create a much needed link between downtown Syracuse and University Hill,” said Schumer.
The university has received $6.2 million in state grants to pay for its share of the project, while Onondaga County will kick in another $1 million.
Officials hope the project will bring new businesses to the city.
The federal investment granted Monday will fund phases II and III of the Syracuse Connective Corridor Plan which includes creating a distinct pedestrian and cyclist friendly streetscape. The city plans to create new bike lanes and install new sidewalks, benches, energy efficiently lighting and limit the distances pedestrians must cross between streets.
Gillibrand is staying in Washington because of pending legislative action.
(Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.)
