ALBANY, N.Y. – Upstate New York bridge replacement, highway resurfacing and drainage projects will be the first funded under the federal stimulus package that includes billions of dollars to create and retain jobs in the state.
Gov. David Paterson says the projects include reconstruction of downtown streets in Albany, resurfacing routes 5a and 69 in Oneida County and resurfacing Interstate 690 in Syracuse. Two bridges will be replaced in Steuben County, one in Erwin and another in Campbell.
But Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat, is questioning the fast process for choosing the projects. He says state authorities and their regional planning arms have too much say over which get federal aid.
Contractors will bid on the initial 11 projects as early as March 5.