While a stalemate has immobilized the State Senate, the state is making good use of much-needed stimulus funding (we can thank President Obama, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) ).

Gov. David PatersonLast week, Gov. David Paterson announced various statewide transportation infrastructure projects that will help the environment, create jobs, and stimulate growth. With millions of dollars funneling in, pedestrians, bikers and drivers alike should start to celebrate in, and benefit from, regional improvements.

Here are a few examples of environmentally beneficial projects that are going forward:

• $5 million in ARRA funding for an $8.1 million Long Island project to provide new bike lanes and improved pedestrian facilities, including new sidewalks and crosswalks, on Prospect Avenue between Brush Hollow Road and Cantiague Rock Road in New Cassel, in the town of North Hempstead, Nassau County.
• $1.7 million in ARRA funding for the rehabilitation of the Schenectady Bike/Hike trail in the City of Schenectady in Schenectady County.
• $731,000 in ARRA funding to install sidewalks in the Village of Sylvan Beach in Oneida County. The sidewalks will provide a connective walkway to link various amenities and services in the village, and will somewhat lessen the need to drive.
• $1.6 million in ARRA funding for a transportation enhancement project to build a 1.4 mile shared use path and install right-of-way fencing in the town of Vestal, Broome County.

For ARRA stimulus projects in Long Island click here

For ARRA stimulus projects for Hudson Valley click here

For ARRA stimulus projects for Southern Tier click here

For ARRA stimulus projects for Capital Region click here

For ARRA stimulus projects for New York City click here

For ARRA stimulus projects for Western New York click here