One of the most vital responsibilities that comes with the title of Congressman (or woman) is delivering financial funding to a district. In the last 18 months that our Congressman, Representative Lee Zeldin, has been in office, the first district of Suffolk County has been a fortunate recipient of millions upon millions of dollars for much needed infrastructure projects, health and human services, medical research and new and improved hospital facilities and services for our Veterans. As of last week, we can Thank Zeldin again, for the first infusion of federal funds from the 2015 highway bill, in the sum of $63.69 million. The new pot of Federal Money, is designated for preventative maintenance and repairs for highway bridges and overpasses in our area.
The new federal pot of money was created as a result of Congressman Zeldin’s Safe Bridges Act. The bill, introduced by Congressman Lee Zeldin and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, was passed and signed into law this past December as part of a new five year, fully funded surface transportation bill (H.R. 22). Through the 2015 surface transportation bill, critical highway funding is being directed back into state and local governments. The Congressman has worked tirelessly on a bipartisan basis to secure the Safe Bridges Act. This Bill provides both State and local government the resources and flexibility to strengthen transportation & infrastructure, while creating jobs and improving the local economy and overall quality of life.
Infusion of Federal Funds Projects include:
- $26 million for Hospital Road Bridge
- $8.16 million for preventative maintenance for Suffolk County bridges
- $7.48 million for repairs of Suffolk County bridges
- $3.63 million for preventative maintenance and repairs for bridges over Sunrise Highway
- $18.42 million for bridge rehab on the LIE in Suffolk County
The announcement of the First Infusion of Federal Funds, which was generated via a new source of federal money, thanks to Congressman Zeldin’s Safe Bridges Act, came on Friday, August 5th, 2016 at Station 3 of the North Patchogue Fire Department, located on Hospital Road in East Patchogue. Congressman Zeldin spoke alongside of Senator Tom Croci, Assemblyman Dean Murray, police, first responders, members of the Brookhaven Highway Department, local officials, organizations and concerned residents. Senator Croci touched on the importance of improving the Hospital Road Bridge infrastructure and what the federal funding means for the community.
“The Hospital Road Bridge has long been a problem for residents and emergency response personnel to navigate, especially while trying to access Brookhaven Memorial Hospital… I applaud Congressman Zeldin for leading this effort and for making Long Island’s infrastructure a main concern at the federal level,” – New York State Senator Tom Croci.
Major repairs and widening to the Hospital Road Bridge, is one of the many critical infrastructure projects which the Congressman, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has obtained the federal infusion of funds for. The bridge, recently graded by the NYS Department of Transportation as “functionally obsolete,” cannot handle current traffic demands. This is a big problem for first responders, police, firefighters and the public who need emergency access to travel to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and the North Patchogue Fire Department. The $26 million dollar project will be 80% federally funded.
“This project, which is scheduled to begin as early as next year, was included in the New York State capital budget as a result of advocacy from New York State Senator Tom Croci and New York State Assemblyman Dean Murray… I will continue working with the local community, Brookhaven Hospital, police and first responders, to ensure that the design of the Hospital Road Bridge revitalization fits all needs and the project stays on track to be completed by fiscal year 2017-2018. I will also continue working to ensure that Long Island receives its fair share of funding to improve our roads, bridges and overpasses.” – Congressman Lee Zeldin