NYS Department of Transportation announces completion of Resiliency Project

The NYS Department of Transportation today announced that construction has concluded on an $850,000 resiliency project completed by the Town of Greece, as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The intersection of Edgemere and Island Cottage and adjacent roadways are prone to flooding and storm sewer system backflow during highwater that impact accessibility to area homes and businesses. The completed project will mitigate these impacts during high water events, as well as ensure that the roadway remains open to residents and emergency vehicles. Mitigation measures for this project included replacement of the storm sewer system and installation of check valves to prevent backflows.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “New York State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative is vital to helping flood-prone communities not only rebuild, but withstand whatever mother nature throws their way. The Department of Transportation is proud to work with our state and local partners such as the Town of Greece to strengthen communities, and ensure residents and emergency vehicles can get where they need to go during inclement weather events.” 

New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “New York is moving to build a more resilient state with infrastructure that can withstand future changes. Through the REDI initiative, New York State agencies are working with communities like the Town of Greece to improve storm water systems, which will help mitigate the impact of high-water events and improve safety for residents and visitors to the area.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “The Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative continues to support flood-prone communities as they rebuild better than before. We will continue to invest in safeguards that strengthen and protect communities from future disasters.”

DASNY President and CEO Reuben R. McDaniel III said, “DASNY is proud to support Governor Cuomo’s vision for protecting communities from flooding and to enhance New York’s economy.  The REDI projects in Greece demonstrate Governor Cuomo’s commitment to protecting the infrastructure and economic vitality of New York’s waterfront communities.”

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Assemblyman Josh Jensen said, “I am pleased at the completion of these critically important improvements in the Town of Greece. These much-needed infrastructure improvements will bolster the resiliency of our shoreline. Residents and small businesses will feel more secure if, and when, lake levels rise again. I have been proud to support state investment in our community and applaud the partnership between the State of New York and the Town of Greece to ensure completion of this much needed improvements.”

Town of Greece Supervisor William Reilich said, “With the completion of yet another REDI project, we take another major step forward in securing a more resilient waterfront.  This project in particular is a victory for economic resiliency and public safety.  The historic flooding of 2017 and 2019 left the intersection of Edgemere Drive and Island Cottage Road and other nearby roadways flooded, affecting traffic safety and in some cases making the roads impassable for even emergency responders.  Restaurants at this intersection, which are vital to Greece’s waterfront economy suffered a significant downturn in business as a result of road flooding, only to be hit the very next year by shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  The survival of these local businesses is a testament to the strength and adaptability of our local economy.  With each project we finish, the REDI program has allowed us to replenish our resiliency funds so we can move on to the next.  We are grateful for the Governor’s recognition and quick response to the economic impacts that would result from the flooding, and our thanks go out to our partners at the state and county Departments of Transportation for bringing this project to completion.”

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. The REDI Commission allocated $20 million for homeowner assistance, $30 million to improve the resiliency of businesses, and $15 million toward a regional dredging effort that will benefit each of the eight counties in the REDI regions. The remaining $235 million has been allocated towards local and regional projects that advance and exemplify the REDI mission.

At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the REDI commission toured areas hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario and worked with local communities to come up with a new vision for the shoreline from both a resiliency and economic development point of view in order to build back better and stronger for the future.

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