SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND LAUNCH PUSH TO SECURE FIRST OF ITS KIND, $85 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO OVERHAUL THE LYELL AVE INTERCHANGE IN THE TOWN OF GATES – SENATORS SAY CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS CRITICAL TO EASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION, CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF AREAS LIKE EASTMAN BUSINESS PARK, AND ATTRACTING NEW HIGH-TECH COMPANIES TO ROCHESTER AREA THROUGH IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE
Project Will Improve Rush Hour Traffic Flow, Reduce Congestion & Curb Accidents At Lyell Ave Interchange, Where I-490, Route 390 & Lyell Ave (Route 31) Meet
Schumer, Gillibrand Push For Massive Federal Grant of $85 Million From Fed Dept. Of Transportation That Would Revamp Lyell Ave Corridor’s Entire Interchange, Improving Transportation For 200,000 Vehicles That Move Through The Area Daily & Opening Area Up To Greater Development Opportunities
Schumer, Gillibrand: Critical Traffic Improvements Would Bolster Rochester Area Economy & Attract New Companies To Places Like Newly-Developed Eastman Business Park
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today launched their push to secure critical federal funding to fix and improve the Lyell Ave, Rt. 390-490 corridor in Monroe County. Specifically, Schumer and Gillibrand are urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to allocate a first of its kind, $85 million grant through the new FASTLANE program, which Schumer and Gillibrand fought to create. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding would allow the town and NY State to work together to improve rush hour traffic flow while reducing congestion and related accidents for the approximately 200,000 vehicles that move through the interchange on a daily basis. This funding would enable the New York State Department of Transportation in Rochester to make major upgrades the interchange where I-490, Route 390 and Lyell Avenue (Route 31) come together in the Town of Gates. The Senators said this project is critical to improving area transportation for residents and visitors, as well as businesses. Facilitating access to the Eastman Business Park is vital to attracting new companies and high tech industries like Photonics to the Rochester area.
“The Lyell Avenue Corridor is a major artery for residents, visitors and businesses in the Rochester area, and it is a critical lifeline for the entire regional economy – but the interchange is in desperate need of an upgrade. We need to invest in the much-needed improvements that will keep both travelers and commerce flowing into the Town of Gates and greater Rochester area. That’s exactly why we’re pushing to secure this $85 million in federal funding – which will finally allow the town and NY State to begin a project that will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, curb accidents and pave the way for continued development at the Eastman Business Park by making it easier for new, high-tech companies to move in,” said Senator Schumer.
“This is a major investment that would help strengthen our transportation infrastructure in the Rochester area,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This comprehensive project would alleviate the current traffic influx at the interchange near the Town of Gates. Safeguarding these road would help reduce traffic and help create economic development opportunities for local businesses. Investing in our infrastructure enables safer, more efficient service for the businesses and travelers who rely on it every day.”
Schumer and Gillibrand successfully fought to pass the long-term, 5-year federal transportation bill, the FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act, in Congress this year. Under the FAST Act, New York State alone will receive over $16.5 billion in transportation funding over the next five years – an increase of over $1.5 billion above previous investment levels. Furthermore, the FAST Act created a new dedicated discretionary program called FASTLANE. The FASTLANE program funds critical highway and freight projects or regional or national significance and was provided $4.5 billion over the five years of the bill – including $800 million to give out in grants this year alone.
With the news yesterday of the start of the $10.9 Million first phase of this project, to replace the Lyell Avenue bridge over Rt. 490, the Senators said now is the time to secure the $85 Million to fund the rest of the project.
Schumer and Gillibrand are looking to secure $85 million in federal funds through this FASTLANE program, which would allow NY State and the Town of Gates to improve traffic flow for motorists exiting Route 390 northbound at the Lyell Avenue interchange, including the off-set Lee Road intersection just to the east. Plans also include improvements to Route 31 (Lyell Avenue) and the Lyell Avenue Bridge over Route 390. Schumer said improving this interchange is critical for both safety and economic development opportunities. Corridor improvements will improve traffic flow as well as reduce congestion and related accidents. In addition, facilitating access to the former Eastman Kodak industrial park – now Eastman Business Park – will be vital to attracting new companies and high tech industries like Photonics to the Rochester area.
A copy of Schumer and Gillibrand’s letter to the DOT appears below:
Dear Secretary Foxx:
We are pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the New York State Department of Transportation in Rochester for funding through the Department of Transportation’s FASTLANE grant program. Such funding will enable the New York State Department of Transportation in Rochester to undertake a highway/bridge project to upgrade the interchange where I-490, Route 390 and Lyell Avenue (Route 31) come together in the Town of Gates, Monroe County.
This project aims to improve rush hour traffic flow, while reducing congestion-related accidents for the approximately 200,000 vehicles that move through the interchange on a daily basis. The project will target two specific locations: the Route 390 southbound ramp to I-490 eastbound, and the I-490 westbound ramp to Route 390 northbound. According to NYSDOT, this project will improve traffic flow for motorists exiting Route 390 northbound at the Lyell Avenue interchange, including the off-set Lee Road intersection just to the east. Plans also include improvements to Route 31 (Lyell Avenue) and the Lyell Avenue Bridge over Route 390.
Improving traffic flow and access through this interchange is also crucial for the continued successful development of the Eastman Business Park. Facilitating access to this former Eastman Kodak industrial park is vital in efforts to attract new companies and high tech industries like Photonics to Rochester. We applaud the New York State Department of Transportation in Rochester for its foresight, and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.
Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator
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