State Department of Transportation Announces $6.9 Million to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Vehicle Emissions in Central New York 

Funds Provided Through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and the Carbon Reduction Program 

Supports Goals of New York’s Nation Leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

On June 24^th New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced that $6.9 million in funding was awarded to support community-based investments that reduce vehicle emissions and congestion in Central New York. Funds were awarded to projects in the region that improve traffic flow, improve pedestrian accessibility, facilitate use of alternative fuel vehicles, or broaden public transit services. The funding was part of $61.4 million that was awarded to 21 projects across the state.

“These community-based projects reaffirm New York’s nation leading commitment to the environment put forward by Governor Hochul,” Commissioner Dominguez said. “By investing in projects that will lessen congestion and the pollution associated with idling, as well as limiting the environmental impact of carbon, we are not only helping to fight climate change, but also helping to facilitate local economic development and improving quality of life.”

The funding was made available through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT); and is provided through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).

CMAQ and CRP are helping New York State meet its long-term climate change goals established by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by focusing on reducing transportation related emissions and alleviating traffic congestion to advance environmental sustainability, enhance air quality, and improve transportation equity.

CMAQ/CRP Awarded projects in Central New York include:

• $1,960,430 to the Village of Hamilton to improve multimodal transportation connections.
• $5,000,000 to the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to purchase two heavy duty transit hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and equipment to fuel and work on the buses.

Projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that included public benefit, air quality improvements, cost-effectiveness, and partnerships. Projects must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public. The CMAQ/CRP project awards amount to no less than $500,000 and no more than $5 million for any single project. NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection.

The $61.4 million in CMAQ/CRP awards were distributed throughout the state to five separate towns, two villages, three cities, and one county among others. The types of projects were broken into four categories:

• $28.4 million to improve traffic flow congestion, mitigation, and safety enhancements
  The awards will improve and mitigate traffic congestion and result in decreased vehicle idling and emissions as well as reduce vehicle crashes.
• $15 million to advance alternative fuel buses in New York State
  The awards will help New York State advance its commitment towards environmental sustainability through zero-emission battery electric buses and hydrogen fuel buses.
• $13.2 million to advance ADA pedestrian accessibility
  The awards will address pedestrian safety concerns and provide safe, contiguous, non-vehicular, ADA compliant connections to transit stops, healthcare facilities, restaurants, educational, and religions institutions.
• $4.8 million to broaden public transit services
  The awards will introduce increase access to public transit by introducing new public transit services, increasing transportation options, providing quicker trips, and lower the cost per trip.

Assemblymember William Magnarelli, Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee said, “The funding announced today is a significant step in helping to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The $5 million awarded to CENTRO will allow it to take the first steps in transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet with its first purchase of hydrogen buses. This is welcome news for Central NY.”