Buffalo Ledger

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) announced funding has been awarded to the Town of Hamburg and the Village of Lancaster for projects that promote alternative, environmentally friendly modes of travel, such as walking and biking. The local projects are among thirty across the state funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and are being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.

“In addition to investing in safe roads and bridges, we must also support projects that promote alternatives forms of transportation,” Senator Gallivan said. “Improving pedestrian and bicycle safety will give residents more options for cleaner and healthier communities.”

The $97.7 million in TAP awards were distributed throughout the state to 13 separate towns, 10 villages, five cities, and two counties, among others. Projects within the 60th Senate District include:

- $2,785,194 to the Town of Hamburg for a new comprehensive multimodal system including the construction of new sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings along South Park Avenue.

- $3,392,800 to the Village of Lancaster to fill in the gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle network along Central Avenue.

Projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that included public benefit, air quality improvements, cost-effectiveness, and partnerships. Projects must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public. The TAP project awards amount to no less than $500,000 and no more than $5 million for any single project. NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition and construction.