Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $240,000 DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR ALBANY COUNTY TO REDEVELOP I-787 CORRIDOR

Project Is Essential to Overall Success of County’s Push to Redevelop the I-787 Corridor & Increase Accessibility to Albany Waterfront

Schumer, Gillibrand: Grant Is Huge Victory in Effort to Revitalize I-787 Corridor

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Department of Transportation awarded Albany County $240,000 for design models for the redevelopment of the I-787 corridor. The project, which will directly benefit the City of Albany, Watervilet, Menands, and the Town of Colonie, will go towards plans to redevelop the I-787 corridor in order to support nearby economic development efforts, brownfield redevelopment, and improve pedestrian and transit access to the Albany waterfront.

“This targeted investment will serve not only as a catalyst for the continued revitalization and growth in Albany County riverfront, but will lead to projects that create local jobs for local redevelopment projects along the I-787 corridor,” said Schumer. “This Department of Transportation funding will aid design of a comprehensive plan to improve access to the Albany waterfront for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.”

“Investing in transportation infrastructure is one of the fastest, most effective ways to create jobs now, and lay the foundation for more jobs tomorrow,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This grant to overhaul the I-787 corridor will help improve safety and keep more travelers on the move to help strengthen the local economy.”

The funding was provided by the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program (SAFETEA-LU Section 1117), which provides funding for a comprehensive initiative including planning grants, implementation grants, and research to investigate and address the relationship among transportation, community, and system preservation plans and practices and identify private sector-based initiatives to improve those relationships.

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