Route 531 extension project receives more funds

It's been a project that has been years in the making and with recent funding coordinated by Congressman Tom Reynolds' office, the proposed extension of Route 531 might be coming closer to being reality. Monroe County is set to receive $5.92 million for the proposed project.

Reynolds said the funding will help create jobs in the area.

"This project has the potential to greatly improve Monroe County's transportation infrastructure; and by better facilitating the transportation needs of employees, customers, and businesses, the project can stimulate economic growth as well," he said.

The funding will be used toward the extension of Route 531 from its current terminus at Route 36/Washington Street in the Town of Ogden, west toward the Village of Brockport and the SUNY Brockport campus. The area has been identified by officials as a "priority congestion corridor."

Town of Sweden Councilperson Pat Connors said the extension will help alleviate traffic volumes on Route 31 which is residential in nature for much of its journey through Sweden.

"We also believe the extension will reduce the number of serious accidents on Route 31," she said.

Reynolds said, "The volume of traffic in this area has grown faster than anyone expected, which has resulted in unnecessary traffic and delays. Members of the community have expressed concerns, and it's clear we need to make improvements to this area to ease congestion and improve safety."

Connors thanked Reynolds for his diligence in securing funds for the completion of an engineering study for the extension of Route 531.

"I know the residents of the community have been looking forward to this extension for many years," she said.

Additionally, it's expected that the extension of Route 531 will reduce the commute time to Rochester and make the amenities of area businesses more accessible to those who live east of Sweden.

Reynolds previously secured $5.8 million for the project as part of the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus spending bill and in total has secured more than $11.7 million in federal funds for the project.

This latest funding will be used to complete the planning phase of the project.