State awards funding to assist regional bicycle, pedestrian infrastructure projects

Elmira, N.Y., April 19—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today announced that several regional projects will receive a total of more than $7 million to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Elmira, Hornell, Ithaca and Schuyler County.

“Assisting these locally based projects to enhance the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians is a wise state investment that will also pay dividends for short- and long-term air quality regionally and throughout New York State,” said O’Mara, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.

The local projects are among more than 80 projects statewide sharing $112.2 million in funding, which will help cover up to 80 percent of the cost of each project.  The aid is made available through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. Projects were selected through a competitive process that focused on efforts to increase options for non-vehicular transportation, reduce vehicle emissions or traffic congestion, or both.  It’s estimated that the projects will leverage more than $230 million in construction and operational enhancements that will improve air quality, promote walking and biking, expand public transportation access, and boost tourism across the state.

The regional projects awarded funding are:

> $1,182,000 to the Town of Ithaca for sidewalk improvements;

> $1,400,902 to the City of Ithaca for pedestrian, bicycle and transit access improvements;  

> $3,132,000 to the City of Elmira to rehabilitate the Lake Street Bridge to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles and other non-motorized users;

> $361,920 to Schuyler County for pedestrian and bicycle improvements; and

> $1,102,950 to the Village of North Hornell for pedestrian and bicycle improvements.