October 19, 2009

LEGISLATOR RATH AND COUNCILMAN WEINSTEIN ANNOUNCE RECIEPT OF FUNDS FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION OF MAPLE ROAD

(Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Legislator Edward A. Rath III and Amherst Town Councilman Barry Weinstein held a press conference today to announce the receipt of $11.3 million in federal stimulus and CMAC funds to aid in the completion of the Maple Road re-construction project.

While improvements on small sections of Maple Road have already begun, the majority of the re-construction project will begin in the spring, including improvements on the busy and congested areas near the Boulevard Mall. A full reconstruction will address both drainage and surface issues along with intersection improvements at North Bailey and at Flint. Erie County is also negotiating to repave Maple Road from Flint to North Forest, which would mitigate the washboard effect caused by joint issue in the pavement on that stretch of the road. If successful, this project may be addressed this construction season.

Legislator Rath was adamant that the long-time project be finalized. "The completion of the re-construction project has been long anticipated and is finally coming to fruition. This project will improve driving conditions and make a safer commute," Rath said. "I am hopeful that this project can finally see completion now that funds have been received. There is a copy of the plans in my office for anyone who would like to view them," Rath concluded.

Maple Road/ North Bailey were eligible for Federal stimulus funds because it was a shovel ready project. Councilman Weinstein stated, "The original cost to the Town was approximately $1,365,000, but by my encouraging the Town to seek New York State Marchicelli funding, we were able to reduce the Town's portion by over a million dollars, which is a significant savings. The final cost to the Town of Amherst will only be about $25,000," Weinstein remarked

Full scale re-construction is slated to begin Spring 2010 and is expected to be completed by November 2011. For more information, contact Legislator Rath's office at rathe@erie.gov or by calling (716) 633-0617.

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