Local governments get funds for bridge and culvert work

— Enterprise file photo — Mike Nardacci

The Onesquethaw Creek flows from the Helderbergs, joining up with the Coeymans Creek before entering the Hudson River. Albany County has received state funds to replace a bridge going over the Onesquethaw and also to replace a culvert carrying the Onesquethaw.

ALBANY COUNTY — Several local bridge or culvert projects are among the 216 across New York receiving more than $484 million in state funds, announced on July 11:

— Albany County is receiving $4.75 million for the superstructure replacement of the South Albany Road bridge over the Onesquethaw Creek;

— Albany County is also receiving $1.5 million for the replacement of the Route 301 culvert carrying the Onesquethaw Creek;

— The town of Bethlehem is getting $1.194 million for the replacement of Wemple Road culvert carrying a tributary to the Vloman Kill; and

— The town of Guilderland will receive $1.08 million for the replacement of the Leesome Lane culvert carrying a tributary to the Bozen Kill.

The state’s BRIDGE NY initiative, supported by the federal Bridge Formula Program, will pay 137 local governments to “harden their existing infrastructure to better endure severe weather events and withstand the impacts of climate change,” according to a release from the governor’s office.

This latest round of funding builds upon more than $1.23 billion previously awarded to local governments under the BRIDGE NY initiative. The funding will support all phases of project delivery, including design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.

“Local governments are responsible for the overwhelming majority of roads and half the bridges in the state, so these state investments in bridges and culverts are critical to our shared mission,” said Jeffrey Smith, president of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association, in the release. “Timely BRIDGE NY awards enable counties to address these critical infrastructure needs and avoid project delays, containing costs at a significant savings to taxpayers.”

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat who voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the funding possible, said in the release, “As extreme weather events become more common, it is vital that we invest in strengthening infrastructure to keep New Yorkers safe.”

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