REED HIGHLIGHTS CONSTRUCTION JOB CREATION AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT SAVINGS

Sep 5, 2012

 

Congressman Tom Reed highlighted local construction job creation today during a visit to the Town of Seneca in Ontario County.  Reed stopped at Ferguson Road where it crosses Flint Creek to discuss language he fought to include in the recently passed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).  Upgrades at the bridge could be expedited thanks to Reed’s effort to streamline the approval process.

The language will exempt transportation upgrades which already exist within the current right of ways from costly federal permitting requirements – meaning projects will be begun and completed more quickly and at a lower cost.  “It is an example of our approach to governing: taking a solution from the local front lines and turning it into legislation to simplify government and create local jobs,” Reed said of the legislation.

Ontario County Public Works Commissioner Bill Wright, who originally identified the need to streamline the process,  joined Reed at the bridge site. “We thank Congressman Reed for getting this language into the bill,” Wright said. “As it stands now, a simple replacement of an existing bridge requires the same paperwork as a brand new highway. We don’t need to do this. This will save taxpayer dollars and valuable time. Taxpayers get a better bridge for less money in a quicker time.”