BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that more than $484 million in enhanced assistance for 137 local governments across the state to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts.
The funding, which is provided through the state's BRIDGE NY initiative, will support 216 individual projects and will help local governments in every region of the State harden their existing infrastructure.
“As New York continues to experience the effects of climate change firsthand, we need to make critical infrastructure upgrades so our communities can withstand the extreme weather to come,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.
“Working closely with local governments, we are investing millions to harden more than 200 bridges and culverts across the State, enhancing public safety and make these structures ready for whatever mother nature can throw at us.”
The awards were selected based on input from Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Funding from the awards will support all phases of project delivery, including design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.
In total, Western New York will receive $77 million in funds with over $4 million going to the City of Buffalo for the replacement of Warren Spahn Way bridge over Cazenovia Creek.
"Governor Hochul understands that confronting the challenges of climate change requires a team effort and under her leadership, New York State remains committed to working with our local partners to enhance public safety by improving the resiliency and sustainability of our infrastructure," New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in a statement.
"The BRIDGE NY funding we are announcing today will provide critically important financial support for local governments to harden their bridges and culverts against the looming threat of severe weather and help keep New Yorkers safe and on the move.”
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