Ritchie Announces Nearly $1,000,000 in Funding to Get People Back to Work, Promote Outdoor Recreation in Oswego County

$960,000 Project Includes Removing Abandoned Railroad Bridge, Maintaining Snowmobile Trail

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has obtained $960,000 in funding for a key project that will create jobs in Oswego County and support the region’s outdoor recreation industry. 

The project is slated to include the removal of an abandoned New York Central Railroad bridge on Rt. 13 and maintenance of the snowmobile trail in the town of Williamstown.

“Putting people back to work by investing in our roads and transportation system is critical to our long term economic development efforts to revive Central New York’s economy,” said Senator Ritchie. “By moving these long-delayed projects onto the fast track our region can improve safety and help improve our important transportation corridors.”

“A recent economic study by researchers at SUNY Potsdam showed the snowmobiling industry contributes about $700 million to our state’s economy,” Senator Ritchie said. “By maintaining our extensive trail system we keep Oswego County as a world class tourism destination that means jobs and economic growth to our stores, restaurants and hotels.”

The investment will be funded through the New York Works State Highway and Bridge Project Acceleration Program, which was approved as part of this year's enacted state budget.

“I am proud that Oswego County is seeing the benefits of the New York Works State Highway and Bridge Acceleration Program by getting projects like this one off the drawing board and out to bid,” said Senator Ritchie. “Through working together, we can continue our efforts to improve our transportation system.”