Senator Gipson Secures $1 Million for Pudding Street Engineering Study

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2013

Media Contact: Brian Keeler | 845.463.0840 | keeler@nysenate.gov

SENATOR GIPSON SECURES $1 MILLION FOR PUDDING STREET ENGINEERING STUDY

Poughkeepsie, NY -- Senator Terry Gipson announced the delivery of $1 million in federal funding to assess a proposed project to construct an overpass that would carry Pudding Street over the Taconic State Parkway in Putnam Valley, N.Y.

"During my first visit to Putnam Valley as Senator, Supervisor Bob Tendy brought this issue to my attention. Since then, we worked in partnership with Governor Cuomo, the Town of Putnam Valley, the Putnam County Executive, Mary Ellen O'Dell, Assemblyman Steve Katz and the NY State Department of Transportation (NYDOT) to move this long-promised project forward," said Senator Gipson. "This grant is just the first step in the process of building the overpass, but ten years after this project was first proposed, I'm pleased we moved the needle in less than three month's time."

The intersection of Pudding Street and the Taconic State Parkway is the last remaining grade-level crossing on the Parkway in Putnam County. School buses cross the heavily traveled Taconic up to 20 times daily and residents are concerned about the safety of their children. The overpass was first planned in 2003, but has been delayed because of fiscal modifications to NYSDOT’s project schedules.

"I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his help and continued cooperation in delivering the funds for this study," Senator Gipson said. "We are presently working out details for a public forum which will allow NYDOT to answer questions from town officials and local residents."

"Thank you, Senator Gipson and the NYDOT for your work in delivering on the study," said Putnam Valley Supervisor Bob Tendy. "We have lots of work ahead, but nothing can happen without the engineering study."

"I am pleased to see progress on the Pudding Street project. It has been long in coming and we are pleased that Senator Gipson has delivered on his promise to get the ball rolling," said Putnam County Executive, Mary Ellen O'Dell.

Added Assemblyman Steve Katz, “I want to congratulate Senator Gipson on working with the Governor to secure the study. It has been great working with the Senator on this project, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on this and other projects for Putnam County.”

"The Pudding Street Project is an example of how we can place our constituents' interests first and set aside party politics to work together to get things done," said Senator Gipson. "I look forward to continuing to work with state and local officials of both parties to make sure this project is completed."

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