LaHood Talks I-98, Cuomo

MASSENA - The future of the Interstate 98 project will likely depend on Governor-Elect Andrew M. Cuomo's priorities, the U.S. transportation secretary said Friday.

Ray H. LaHood answered questions on I-98 following his visit to Massena with employees of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The federal Department of Transportation will need Mr. Cuomo's nod before environmental impact studies or other work are done on the proposed Watertown-to-Plattsburgh interstate, Mr. LaHood said.

"If the governor decides that a new road is necessary in Upstate New York, then his priorities become our priorities," Mr. LaHood said. "The first step for us is to meet with the governor and his people and determine what their priorities are."

Mr. LaHood said he instructed Mr. Cuomo and the country's other new governors to let him know of their priorities at a luncheon hosted by President Barack Obama on Thursday.

"Much of the work we do at the DOT is a result of partnering with governors around the country," he said. "We will take our direction and our cues from the governors. We're really waiting to see what Governor Cuomo identifies as priorities for the state of New York when it comes to transportation. And then we will work closely ... to make sure his goals and his vision is carried out."

A project like I-98 begins to move forward once it has the governor's approval, Mr. LaHood said.

"Then the work really begins in terms of a study and in terms of environmental impact," he said. "It depends on how much road you're building, what impact it has on the communities. There isn't a typical time frame for building roads."

Northern Corridor Transportation Group Chair Jason A. Clark said he is convinced the new governor is on board with the project.

While his communication with Mr. Cuomo has been limited, Mr. Clark said he heard Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy speak on the administration's commitment to the project. Mr. Duffy is coordinating much of the incoming administration's economic development efforts upstate, Mr. Clark said.

"He told us flat out on more than a half dozen occasions, 'This is an enormous priority for the Cuomo-Duffy administration,'" Mr. Clark said. "He clearly understands its importance related to economic development."

Mr. Clark acknowledged that outgoing Governor David Paterson also expressed his interest in the interstate. But ongoing financial problems and other issues plagued that administration from moving forward, he said.

"He couldn't prioritize the project in the way we expect the incoming governor will," Mr. Clark said.

Mr. Clark was also optimistic about Mr. LaHood's outlook on I-98.

"If he's saying it's up to the governor, he's saying he has no objection to it," Mr. Clark said.

Several million dollars has already been set aside by the New York State Department of Transportation for preliminary studies, Mr. Clark said. If the project gets rolling, he thinks there is enough legislative support at the state and federal levels to find additional funding.

Mr. LaHood said he spent about an hour with the Seaway employees and presented some awards Friday morning.

"I really wanted to stop by and thank all of the folks that work for us up there, and tell them how important the work that they do is for not only the Seaway, but the area and the country and the world," he said.

The future success of the Seaway will depend on the future success of the economy, he said.

"As the economy continues to grow, activity at the Seaway will grow," Mr. LaHood said. "The Seaway is really tied to the economy."