In announcing an investment in infrastructure and operational improvements for the 1,200 highway miles designated as part of the National Highway Freight Network, Governor Andrew Cuomo hopes to improve the movement of goods across New York.
The $206 million fund is intended to facilitate a projected 50 percent growth in freight tonnage carried within the State by 2040.
“The efficient movement of commerce is critical to the economic competitiveness of our state,”said Cuomo.
“By investing in these critical projects, we are continuing to support more than three million freight-related jobs and the global shipment of goods produced and manufactured in every region of the State.”
A full list of the projects being funded is available here.
This funding complements more than $1.5 billion in highway freight-related enhancement projects previously announced across the State, including $873 million for the replacement of both spans of the Kosciuszko Bridge in the New York City Region; $50 million for the construction of the new Albany Airport Connector Road/Exit 3 off of Interstate 87/Adirondack Northway in the Capital Region; $55.8 million for geometrics improvements along Route 112 from Interstate 495 to Granny Road in the Long Island Region; and $63.1 million for reconstruction of the interchange at Interstate 390/490 in the Finger Lakes Region.
These highway freight projects were identified through the development of New York State’s first comprehensive Statewide Freight Plan which is intended to provide a framework to address current and near-term state of good repair improvements for freight infrastructure, as well as a plan for mid-term needs and efficient long-term growth in the freight system. The goal-driven plan also identifies operational and policy issues to be addressed to ensure optimization of the State’s essential highway freight network. The projects identified through this process will help alleviate idling; mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases; and complement the Governor’s efforts to electrify truck fleets.
