Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1.4 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT FOR BUFFALO AVE, I-190 OVERPASS

Department of Transportation Award of Over $1.4M Will Increase Lifespan for Critical I-190 Overpass

Senators: Improving Our Highways Increases Quality of Life for Residents; Serves As Bridge to Economic Development

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $1,407,400 in federal funding was awarded to New York State Department of Transportation through the U.S. Department of Transportation Highways For Life Program. Specifically funding will be used to replace the I-190 bridge deck and super structure over Buffalo Avenue with a new system that will increase the life span of the bridge. The NYSDOT will construct the new bridge using innovative closure techniques that will limit the impact on the community during construction season. The federal funding helps to support this nearly $8 million project.

“Maintaining vital roads and bridges is exactly the type of work the federal government should be supporting,” said Schumer. “This funding paves the way for visitors and Western New York residents alike to feel safer on the road while providing an economic boost for infrastructure jobs in the region.”

"Investing in infrastructure is key to a strong and growing economy," Senator Gillibrand said. "These grants will help connect more workers and businesses in Western New York, and help open the region up to more tourism to keep our economy on the move, and support new jobs."

The Highways for LIFE (HfL) Pilot Program through the Department of Transportation was established through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act to advance longer-lasting highways using innovative technologies and practices to accomplish the fast construction of efficient and safe highways and bridges. The goal of the program is to encourage the States to build projects that use proven innovations that are infrequently used to accelerate the deployment and implementation process of innovation and shall not be used as a supplemental funding source.

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