County Presents Resolutions to Perform Improvements, Leverage Funding

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz has presented resolutions to the Erie County Legislature requesting authorization to participate in a Federal Aid project for intersection improvements at Strickler Road and County Road in the Town of Clarence, as well as to enter into an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation (“NYSDOT”) which will allow for Erie County to be reimbursed for most of the work. An additional authorization was requested to enter into an engineering design contract with Bergmann Associates of Buffalo for the Intersection Improvement Project.

“I have heard the calls of residents who want better, safer roads in Erie County,” said Poloncarz. “Once these requests are authorized, work can begin on improving this intersection and reducing the number of accidents here. Additionally, working with the Federal Aid Program and NYSDOT means that these improvements will cost much less to County taxpayers, as we will be able to utilize available capital funds to leverage significant additional federal funds. Unlike the prior administration, we were able to find a way to create a safer intersection and ensure the vast majority of cost to do so is not borne by Erie County.”

NYSDOT has implemented the High Risk Rural Roads Program to assist in the funding of improvements at sites such as this intersection, where accidents have occurred in numbers above the statewide average for similar intersections. Under this program, expenses to the County are reimbursable up to 90%.

The total cost of the project design phase is currently estimated at $45,000. The project, through the locally administered Federal Aid Program, is eligible for 90% federal reimbursement ($40,500) while Erie County is required to contribute 10% ($4,500) as a local share. This local share is available from the 2006 Unanticipated Road & Bridge Design and Construction (Countywide) Program. The negotiated agreement with Bergmann Associates will not exceed $45,000.

Following anticipated approval of the resolutions (without which improvements will not happen at this time and the County will not be able to utilize the additional federal aid), the Erie County Highway Department will proceed with execution of agreements in accordance with Federal and NYSDOT guidelines. Design work will begin after an agreement is negotiated and executed with Bergmann Associates of Buffalo.