Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer
and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $10,753,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take on
a broad range of civil works projects throughout New York City. The
federal dollars will help support job creation, rebuild and strengthen critical
infrastructure, and enhance security for New York City. 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 the absolute infrastructure New York City, but we also
keep people working during these tough times,” Senator Schumer said. “The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects in New York are prime examples of
what the stimulus can do for our economy and Americans in need of assistance.”
“This is great news for New York City,” said Senator
Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“These federal dollars will go a way to upgrade and restore infrastructure
across New York City. This will create jobs across the region 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 for New York City, 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 for New York City:
New York Harbor
- $3,873,000 to restore significant coastal salt
marsh habitat within Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Recreation Area, and also to
fully fund navigation deepening construction projects; - $1,540,000 to remove all remaining asbestos
insulation in the Caven Point Marine Terminal buildings; - $2,000,000 to restore the Sandy
Hook Navigation Channel to full authorized dimensions for U.S. Navy warships,
ocean-going tankers and container ships using the channel to reduce the risk of
accident; - $500,000 for sonar systems to improve searches
for navigation obstructions in the high-traffic channel; - $330,000 to replace the perimeter security fence
at the Caven Point Marine Terminal; - $100,000 to replace timber pilings supporting
vessel docking piers to improve safety for workers and ensure continued survey
and maintenance work; - $100,000 to upgrade cranes’ load-sensing safety
equipment on workboats — improving worker safety and vessel reliability; - $60,000 to replace an electric power generator
to improve vessel safety and reliability – ensuring continued channel surveys.
Additionally, $1,300,000 will
be used to construct emergency steambank protection measures to protect the New
York State Bronx River Parkway, as well as $400,000 to investigate necessary
public works projects for Jamaica Bay and $550,000 for the South Shore of
Staten Island.
The funding for these New York City 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.