County planning major roadwork
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y.>> Forty-five miles of Rensselaer County highways will be improved this year under a plan announced recently by county officials.
The 2017 paving program will bring the total amount of road improved over the past three years to 115, about 35 percent of the county’s total centerline miles.
Funding for this year’s program comes from a pool of county and state funding, including $2.3 million from the state Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, $400,000 from casino revenue distribution, $500,000 from the state’s PAVE-NY program, $200,000 from the Rensselaer County Legislature and $300,000 in state winter recovery funding. The project will supplement past work done with funding from a $4.5 million bond issued by the county specifically for highway improvement, as well as $300,000 in operational savings in the county Highway Department that was later dedicated to road work.
“We have made a concerted effort over the last number of years to invest in our county highways, en- suring a safe and pleasurable driving experience for our residents and visitors,” said Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino.
“We recognize the role a well-maintained county road system plays in terms of quality of life and job creation,” added county Legislator Rob Bayly, a member of the Legislature’s Public Works Committee. “Because of that, the Legislature contributed $200,000 in legislative savings to make a project of this size a reality.”
Other legislators said they are looking forward to beginning what will be one of the biggest county road improvement projects ever.
“Our county road system is one of the most important services provided by Rensselaer County,” said the Legislature’s majority leader, Ken Herrington, who also chairs the group’s Public Works Committee. “The road work planned for 2017 is one of the biggest county road improvement projects in at least a decade, and we look forward to getting the work underway.”
“Some of our county roads have been hit hard during the past several years and are in need of attention,” added Legislator Jeff Wysocki, who represents District 5, which includes eastern Rensselaer County. “It is good news that help is on the way for some of these roads.”
The Legislature’s minority leader, Peter Grimm, said he believes these road improvements are not only necessary, but also beneficial in many ways to the county.
“Our roads are vital to economic development, and they provide access to employment, social, health and education services,” said Grimm. “Making thorough use of available federal and state funding to improve our roads acknowledges our belief that roads are one of Rensselaer County’s most important public assets.”