March 19, 2009

Today, Westchester County’s Board of Acquisition and Contract approved a $2.8 million contract to rebuild a bridge running over Odell Avenue in Yonkers. It is one of the first projects funded by stimulus money in the state.
 
“The effects of the stimulus plan are beginning to be felt in Westchester,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “This project is the first of five that we hope to start work on before the summer. These projects are expected to create 230 jobs and stimulate the local economy so they will benefit all county residents, regardless of where they are located in the county.’’

Bulldozers are expected to break ground on the Odell Avenue project by April. Four other projects - including the installation of new street lighting for the Bronx River Parkway, upgrading 60 traffic signals, and replacing guard rails on county roads – will follow this spring.

The county has requested funding for dozens of other projects from the $787 billion federal stimulus package including money for upgrading county sewage treatment plants in New Rochelle and Mamaroneck.

“There are dozens of other projects waiting in the wings that we hope to receive funding for from the construction of a food storage and distribution warehouse in Valhalla to replacing windows at the County Office Building in White Plains,’’ said Spano. All of these projects will create jobs and help stimulate the local economy.’’
                                                                           
 The following are a list of construction projects which the county is expected to start this spring with stimulus money:

• Replacement of the Odell Avenue Bridge over the South County Trail Way in Yonkers - This $2.8 million project will replace a structurally deficient bridge that carries Odell Avenue, a local street, over the South County Trail Way. Construction is anticipated to start in April.
  
• Bronx River Parkway Street Lighting - This $300,000 project will install 21 street lights on the Bronx River Parkway at four intersections: Virginia Road, Parkway Homes Road, Fisher Lane, Old Tarrytown/Cemetery Road, and add 1 additional street light pole at Strathmore Road. 
  
• Traffic Signal Controller Replacements - This $400,000 project will replace traffic signal controllers  and upgrade various communications equipment items to interface with the new controllers.  This upgrade will be carried out at all county maintained traffic signals in locations throughout Southern and Central Westchester.
  
• Traffic Data Sensors - This $500,000 project will install wireless traffic data sensors on the Bronx River Parkway to provide real time volume, speed and travel time data at eight locations.
  
• Guide Railing Replacement - This $1.1 million project will replace approximately 30,000 feet of guide railing, on five county roads. The rail will be replaced on Central Westchester Parkway in White Plains, Playland Parkway in Rye, Polly Park Road in Harrison, Long Ridge Road in Bedford and Midland Avenue in Tuckahoe.