Letter to Commissioner Gee

Letter

Schumer, Acruri Call on NYS Dot to Commit to Using Federal Funding For RT 12 on Country RT 32 Bypass

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24), in a letter to New York State's Acting Department of Transportation Commissioner Stanley Gee, called on the Department of Transportation to commit to using federal funding secured by Schumer and Arcuri for Route 12's County Route 32 bypass for through traffic. Schumer and Arcuri secured the funding through the FY2010 Consolidate Appropriations Act, signed into law in December, with the intent of it being used for improvements to the Route 12 corridor, specifically for the Route 12 Task Force's Phase II study recommendation to complete County Route 32 as a bypass for through traffic. Today, Schumer and Arcuri emphasized that this funding was intended for the bypass, and should be used as such. They asked the DOT to commit to using the funding as Congress intended, and not using it to complete another project. Schumer and Arcuri have helped to secure over $20 million in funding for Route 12 over their terms in Congress.

"These federal dollars, if used as intended, will help solve the traffic and safety problems that have plagued Route 12 for years," Schumer said. "The DOT should commit to making sure that the funding is used as congress intended, and nor for another project. A highway that's safe and flows smoothly will help the many businesses in the area ship their products and receive supplies. I have worked to bring funds to the project before and I will continue to see this funding through the appropriations process to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on Route 12."

"Route 12 is critical to driving the economy throughout that local corridor," Arcuri said. "It is imperative that the funding I worked alongside Senator Schumer to secure for this project be used to make the necessary improvements to relieve congestion in local communities from heavier truck and transport vehicle traffic. I will continue to fight for the Route 12 corridor and work together with local and federal officials to ensure that this vital stretch of highway develops as a valuable asset to the local economies that utilize it."

"The Route 12 corridor is important to Chenango County as most of our businesses and industries use it for shipping materials in and out, and it is important that it be upgraded to ease traffic congestion," Chairman of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors Richard Decker. "The County Route 32 bypass which is partially done needs to be completed to ease heavy congested traffic around the City of Norwich."

Schumer and Arcuri secured $487,000 for Route 12 in the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act. While the language in the bill states that the money is intended for Route 12 improvements, it does not legally require that NYSDOT used the funding specifically for the Rt. 32 bypass for through traffic. Today Schumer and Arcuri called on DOT to publically commit to using the money for the intended purpose. Schumer and Arcuri are concerned because, though the bills were passed late last year, there has been no commitment by New York State to use the money as intended.

The full copy of the letter is below:

Dear Acting Commissioner Gee:

We write to ask that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) use the $487,000 for New York State Route 12 that we secured in the FY2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act for its intended purpose, which is conversion of County Route 32 as a bypass on the Route 12 corridor.

We understand that the final enacted legislation does not specify where the $487,000 in funding should be used on Route 12, but, as the project's sponsors, we requested these funds in order to create a bypass for through traffic of downtown Norwich, using County Route 32. Additionally, this intention was reflected in Committee report prepared for this legislation by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Route 12 corridor connecting Binghamton to Utica is a major thoroughfare for economic development in this region. Unfortunately the roadway is hampered by numerous safety and congestion issues. The completion of County Route 32 as a bypass for through traffic is an important step in increasing safety and mobility throughout the corridor, as identified by the Phase 2 Report prepared by the NYS Route 12 Task Force, and we respectfully request that NYSDOT fully honor the intent of this legislation.

Thank you for your consideration, and if you have any questions or need additional information please contact Katie Kulpa in Senator Schumer's office at (202) 224-6542 or Chris Wilcox in Congressman Arcuri's office at (202) 225-3665.

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