State Department of Transportation Announces $560,000 Awarded to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Vehicle Emissions in North County

Contact: Michael Flick, (315) 785-2218
Release Date: June 24, 2024

State Department of Transportation Announces $560,000 Awarded to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Vehicle Emissions in North County

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that $560,000 in funding was awarded to support the reduction of vehicle emissions and congestion in the North Country. The funding will be utilized for signal optimization and traffic flow improvement measures along U.S. Route 11 between State Route 342 and Interstate 781. The award was part of $61.4 million that was awarded to 21 projects across the state that improve traffic flow, improve pedestrian accessibility, facilitate use of alternative fuel vehicles or broaden public transit services.

"These community-based projects reaffirm New York's nation leading commitment to the environment put forward by Governor Hochul," Commissioner Dominguez said. "By investing in projects that will lessen congestion and the pollution associated with idling, as well as limiting the environmental impact of carbon, we are not only helping to fight climate change, but also helping to facilitate local economic development and improving quality of life."

The funding was made available through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT); and is provided through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).

CMAQ and CRP are helping New York State meet its long-term climate change goals established by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by focusing on reducing transportation related emissions and alleviating traffic congestion to advance environmental sustainability, enhance air quality, and improve transportation equity.

Projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that included public benefit, air quality improvements, cost-effectiveness, and partnerships. Projects must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public. The CMAQ/CRP project awards amount to no less than $500,000 and no more than $5 million for any single project. NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection.

The $61.4 million in CMAQ/CPA awards were distributed throughout the state to five separate towns, two villages, three cities, and one county among others. The types of projects were broken into four categories:

• $28.4 million to improve traffic flow congestion, mitigation, and safety enhancements
  The awards will improve and mitigate traffic congestion and result in decreased vehicle idling and emissions as well as reduce vehicle crashes.
• $15 million to advance alternative fuel buses in New York State
  The awards will help New York State advance its commitment towards environmental sustainability through zero-emission battery electric buses and hydrogen fuel buses.
• $13.2 million to advance ADA pedestrian accessibility
  The awards will address pedestrian safety concerns and provide safe, contiguous, non-vehicular, ADA compliant connections to transit stops, healthcare facilities, restaurants, educational, and religions institutions.
• $4.8 million to broaden public transit services
  The awards will introduce increase access to public transit by introducing new public transit services, increasing transportation options, providing quicker trips, and lower the cost per trip.

Senator Jeremy Cooney, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee said, "These funds have the potential to both improve the efficiency of our transportation systems and create cleaner, healthier communities. With climate change continuing to impact the daily lives of New Yorkers, I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the creative ways transportation can contribute to a more sustainable future in New York."

Assemblymember William Magnarelli, Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee said, "The funding announced today is a significant step in helping to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The $5 million awarded to CENTRO will allow it to take the first steps in transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet with its first purchase of hydrogen buses. This is welcome news for Central NY."

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

Governor Hochul's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), New York is on a path to achieving its mandated goal of a zero-emissions electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented ramp-up of clean energy and the creation of more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector. New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 while meeting a goal to deliver 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities and advancing progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs in end-use savings. The CLCPA scoping plan provides the framework for how New York State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors, including the transportation sector, increase renewable energy use, and ensure all communities equitably benefit from the clean energy transition.

About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

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