SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $3.2 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR CRITICAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN ITHACA & THE TOWN OF DANBY – FUNDING WILL ENABLE ITHACA TO CONSTRUCT SIDEWALKS, REPLACE LOCAL BRIDGE AND INSTALL NEW STREET LIGHTING & BIKE RACKS THROUGHOUT CITY CENTER; WEST DANBY WILL USE FUNDS TO MAKE CRITICAL RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING UPGRADES
Upgrades Will Complement City of Ithaca’s 2020 Downtown Development Strategy, Which Has Previously Included Transformative Reconstruction Of Downtown Ithaca Commons And Creation Of Enhanced Transit Corridors – Schumer & Gillibrand Helped Secure $4.5M In Fed Funding To Revamp County’s Bus System
Funding Will Also Allow Town of Danby In Tompkins County To Make Critical RR Grade Grossing Improvements On Station Road
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) awarded $3 million to the City of Ithaca to make critical upgrades to main thoroughfares within the City’s center. These improvements include replacement of a local bridge, the construction of sidewalks and the installation of new lighting and bike racks. In addition, $300,000 of the total $3.2 million will be used for critical railroad grade crossing improvements just outside of Ithaca, on Station Road in West Danby.
“This is such an exciting time for Tompkins County. As the area continues to attract new businesses and create new jobs, we must ensure that we're keeping up our infrastructure. This federal funding will allow Ithaca to make its downtown area more walkable and more business friendly – and I was proud to help secure the federal funds that helped the city revamp its bus system,” said Senator Schumer. “In addition, these funds will allow upgrades to keep railroad crossings safe in the Town of Danby. I'm proud of what this entire area is accomplishing, and I'm committed to securing the resources our communities need to thrive for generations to come.”
“Unlocking these funds will allow the City of Ithaca to move forward with key infrastructure projects,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “Making these critical improvements to our sidewalks, local bridges, and streetlights will help strengthen Ithaca’s local economy and long-term sustainability. I will continue to fight for funding to upgrade and modernize our infrastructure.”
These upgrades and enhancements will serve as a compliment to the City of Ithaca’s 2020 Downtown Development Strategy, which has included the transformative reconstruction process recently completed of the Ithaca Commons. This downtown development strategy has also included the creation of enhanced transit corridors, which included upgrades to the county’s bus transit system. Schumer and Gillibrand helped secure the $4.5 million in federal Department of Transportation funds that made the bus system upgrades possible. Improvements and enhancements made thus far have been critical in leveraging millions in private sector investment and growth in the downtown Ithaca area.
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