SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE TOWN OF KEENE TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDS TO UPGRADE FLOOD-PRONE BRIDGE OVER EAST BRANCH AUSABLE RIVER
Town of Keene in Essex County to Use Funds to Upgrade Bridge to Maintain Vital Transit Link During Emergencies, Enhance Resiliency & Protect Area from Future Flooding
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $3,472,000 in federal funding for the Town of Keene in Essex County to upgrade and scour the flood-prone bridge over the East Branch Ausable River on Route 73. These funds, which are being awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will cover 100 percent of the cost for the project. The funds will allow the county to improve the Route 73 bridge over the Ausable River to ensure it is protected against future threats from flooding.
“It is not enough to simply rebuild and repair; we must also prepare ourselves for the next storm and the next potential flood. That’s exactly what this federal grant will do, helping to lower the risk of flood damage to this key bridge on Route 73,” said Senator Schumer. “These much-needed federal funds will help Essex County and the Town of Keene to scour this flood-prone bridge and upgrade surrounding structures to be more resilient in the face of future storms.”
“New York families and businesses need access to safe, reliable transportation infrastructure,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment will help Essex County and the Town of Keene strengthen the bridge over East Branch Ausable River and help protect the bridge in the event of future flooding.”
The federal disaster law of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program written under Section 404 of the Stafford Act states that supplements will be given to allow states and localities to implement long-term resiliency measures after a major disaster. These grants protect the lives of residents and valued properties that may be harmed by natural disasters. Infrastructure protective measures are necessary to ensure our towns and cities can recover and maintain functionality after a disaster.
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