Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer
and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $10,350,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to take on a broad range of civil works projects on Long
Island. The federal dollars will help support job creation, rebuild and
strengthen critical infrastructure, and enhance security for Long Island. The
investments are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which
Senators Schumer and Gillibrand helped pass earlier this year.
“By investing our federal dollars in these kinds of programs, we not only
ensure that Long Island’s coastal infrastructure will be protected, but we also
keep people working during these tough times,” Schumer said. “Protecting NYS
Route 25 and Route 48 are prime examples of what the stimulus can do for our
economy and Americans in need of assistance.”
“This is great news for Long Island,” said Senator
Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“These federal dollars will go a way to upgrade and restore vital
infrastructure across Long Island. This investment will create jobs across the
region, support our Long Island fishing industry, and promote long-term
economic growth. During these tough economic times, I will continue to work
with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal
dollars.”
The funding will support job
creation and a broad range of civil works projects on Long Island, including
operations and maintenance projects, construction projects and investigations for
needed projects.
The following investments will go toward Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works
projects on Long Island:
- Shinnecock Inlet: $5,000,000 to restore
full authorized channel dimensions to reduce the risks for deep-sea fishing
trawlers, recreational boaters and the U.S. Coast Guard crews; - Sylvania Plant, Hicksvile: $4,500,000 to
investigate necessary remediation projects; - Orient Harbor: $1,000,000 to construct an
emergency steambank protection to protect New York State Route 25 – a major
artery for Suffolk County; - Long Island Sound: $750,000 to construct
an emergency steambank protection to protect Suffolk County Route 48.
The funding for these Long Island public works projects is
part of a $4.6 billion investment for the Corps of Engineers to improve
infrastructure and safety across America – an investment expected to create
57,400 construction jobs directly and an additional 64,000 indirect jobs to
supply and support construction projects.
Senators Schumer and Gillibrand
are strong supporters of President Obama’s economic plan. The investment will
help create or save more than 200,000 jobs in New York, while laying the
foundation of future economic growth with critical investments in
infrastructure, renewable energy, health care technology and education.