Stimulus funds en route for north country roads

ALBANY — Federal stimulus money for transportation infrastructure programs is coming to the north country. On Tuesday, Gov. David A. Paterson announced that the north country will get at least $34 million for road and highway repairs, bridge work and "other long-term improvements to the region's infrastructure."

Work on nine projects in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties will create an estimated 816 jobs.

Additionally, the state Department of Transportation will award $25 million in highway and bridge contracts next year, and the north country will get approximately $23 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding. In total, the region will see $82 million in highway and bridge funding in 2009-10.

"I want to thank President Obama and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation for their work to secure this crucial funding," Gov. Paterson said in a press release. "In funding these infrastructure projects create jobs, improve roadways and bridges and ensure that we commit to a cleaner environment. These investments will get New York back on the road to economic recovery and headed toward a safer, more efficient future."

Two state legislators representing the region see the projects as beneficial.

"It is my priority to see to it that any funding results in both immediate and long-term results for the region," said Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, in the release. "And that's what these projects do through much-needed road maintenance and bridge repair that benefits residents, the local labor force, and our Departments of Transportation. These are smart investments targeted to where they will do the most good, and believe that they will help us get our economy back on track."

"These much-needed road and bridge repairs will provide residents with safer roads, and most importantly, create and retain many local jobs," said Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa. "These are shovel-ready projects our local municipalities desperately need, and with these funds they will be completed without adding additional strain to local taxpayers."

The projects planned are:

■ $5 million to resurface and re-mark approximately 40 miles of various highways in Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties. Scheduled for completion by the fall.

■ $800,000 to replace five intersection signal systems in Clinton, Franklin and Jefferson counties. These signal improvements are designed to maximize travel efficiency and improve safety at the intersections. Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

■ $1.1 million for maintenance to some 500 miles of highway in Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties, including cleaning and sealing pavement cracks that contribute to surface deterioration. Scheduled for completion by the fall.

■ $2.2 million for bridge repair in Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties to curb deterioration and improve overall bridge conditions. Scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2010.

■ $1.3 million to finish replacing deteriorated guide rail in the Adirondack Park in Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. Scheduled for completion in the fall.

■ $1.4 million for maintenance work to two bridges in St. Lawrence County. One is on Route 11B and crosses the East Branch of the St. Regis River while the second is on Route 420 and spans the Racquette River. Scheduled to be completed in the fall.

■ $4 million for a project to restore the protective paint on eight bridges in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, including Interstate bridges on I-81 in Jefferson County and a pair of bridges on Route 58 in St. Lawrence County. The remaining structures are all on state routes in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010.

■ $3.5 million to rehabilitate four large culverts in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The culverts are on routes 72, 184 and 342 and will be re-lined and cleaned to allow for the more efficient movement of water. Scheduled to be completed in the fall.