$1.5 Million Awarded to Town of Sterling for Roadway Improvements; Will Ensure Uninterrupted Residential and Emergency Vehicle Passage
Completion of Dredging at Little Sodus Bay Part of $15 million REDI Regional Dredging Program
Project Grants Awarded by Governor Cuomo's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the start of construction of a $1.5 million project awarded to the Town of Sterling, Cayuga County, through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. The existing double culvert carrying McIntyre Road over Sterling Valley Creek is the only access route for local residences and agricultural properties north of Sterling Creek. Flooding events of 2019 caused inundation of the culvert and erosion of the roadway embankment at both the inlet and the outlet of the culvert. To keep this vital roadway open, emergency repairs had to be undertaken. Improvements included in this project will ensure uninterrupted residential and emergency vehicle passage.
Mitigation measures for this project include the removal of the existing double barrel culvert. The structure will be replaced with a 71-foot single-span bridge. Stone fill will be installed in front of the abutments and along the wingwalls to protect the structure against future erosion.
"In 2019, intense flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario caused sections of roadway to be fully submerged in water, making travel hazardous and in some cases forcing emergency closures," Governor Cuomo said. "The safety of New Yorkers is our top priority. Through REDI, we will ensure that when high water events occur, roadways remain clear and open allowing continued safe travel for residents and emergency vehicles. We will not simply repair affected infrastructure; we will reimagine and build back better, stronger and more resilient."
"Communities along Lake Ontario have faced devastating flooding in recent years due to the effects climate change, and New York is leading the way to help them build back more resilient for the future," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The resiliency project starting in the Town of Sterling, and recently completed in Little Sodus Bay, will not only protect against future flooding, but also improve public safety on critical roadways and boost tourism by ensuring safe recreational access for boaters."
In addition, Governor Cuomo announced the completion of dredging at Little Sodus Bay in Cayuga County as part of the State's $15 million REDI Regional Dredging Project, which removed built-up sediment from the bottom of the waterway to allow for continued safe passage of watercraft.
The Little Sodus Bay project removed approximately 6,000 cubic yards of sediment, which was then deposited on the shoreline east of the navigation channel to rebuild and protect the beach.
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Working together with our local partners, New York State is making smart, targeted investments like these that will help us meet the challenges of global climate change and allow communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline to mitigate the dangers of rising flood waters. The REDI program is a testament to Governor Cuomo's leadership and demonstrates what New Yorkers can achieve when we all work together."
Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "Working with our State agency and local partners, we are addressing recreational boaters' safety, supporting the region's tourism economy, and improving the habitats of shoreline wildlife through Governor Cuomo's REDI Dredging Program. All the work getting accomplished under the Governor's REDI initiative is strengthening the communities hit hardest by past flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, and I am especially proud of my agency's involvement and achievements in the Dredging Program."
DASNY President and CEO Reuben R. McDaniel, III said, "DASNY is proud to support Governor Cuomo's vision for protecting communities from flooding and to enhance the health, safety and economy of Cayuga County residents. Projects like the Town of Sterling roadway improvements demonstrate Governor Cuomo's commitment to bringing state and local officials to together to protect the infrastructure and economic vitality of New York's waterfront communities."
Senator Pamela Helming said, "The investments made in the Town of Sterling under the REDI initiative are critical to strengthening the infrastructure that is vital to the economic stability and growth of our shoreline communities. These projects protect local homeowners and businesses and support the tourism activity that is so important to Sterling and Cayuga County. Thank you to the Town of Sterling, New York State and the REDI Commission."
Assemblyman Brian Manktelow said, "When the State invests in local infrastructure it is a win for all residents of the community. Through the REDI program, the Town of Sterling was able to secure the funds necessary, while still being able to save and apply money to other projects locally. By improving McIntyre Rd to help mitigate the effects of the flooding of Lake Ontario, we are providing relief to the neighboring properties, and roads, as well as other creeks and streams. The effects of this engineering will ripple throughout the community. The new engineering will provide erosion protection, replace deteriorating culverts and reduce stream velocities. As a state we have a responsibility to protect our communities, and I believe that this is a great step in doing so. Thank you to all that have been involved in this project."
Town of Sterling Supervisor Scott Crawford said, "We are proud to have partnered with New York State for the critical McIntyre Road project. Through the Governor's REDI program, vital upgrades will be made to ensure that we do not have to close the road during times of high water. These improvements will protect the residents of Sterling and visitors, by allowing safe passage as well as ensuring emergency vehicles are able to respond quickly to calls."
In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties, Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence, were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. The REDI Commission allocated $20 million for homeowner assistance, $30 million to improve the resiliency of businesses, and $15 million toward a regional dredging effort that will benefit each of the eight counties in the REDI regions. The remaining $235 million has been allocated towards local and regional projects that advance and exemplify the REDI mission.
At Governor Cuomo's direction, the REDI commission toured areas hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario and worked with local communities to come up with a new vision for the shoreline from both a resiliency and economic development point of view in order to build back better and stronger for the future.
Since the creation of the Governor's REDI program in the spring of 2019, 133 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 100 projects in the design phase, 17 projects in the construction phase, and 16 projects completed.
Additional information, project profiles and REDI news can be found here.