STERLING — Construction is underway on a $1.5 million project awarded to the town of Sterling in Cayuga County to deal with flooding issues. At the same time, a dredging project in Little Sodus Bay is now finished. The funding for both projects comes through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), the office of […]
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STERLING — Construction is underway on a $1.5 million project awarded to the town of Sterling in Cayuga County to deal with flooding issues.
At the same time, a dredging project in Little Sodus Bay is now finished.
The funding for both projects comes through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
The existing double culvert carrying McIntyre Road over Sterling Valley Creek is the only access route for local homes and agricultural properties north of Sterling Creek. Flooding in 2019 caused inundation of the culvert and erosion of the roadway embankment at both the inlet and the outlet of the culvert.
Emergency repairs were needed to keep this roadway open. Improvements included in this project will “ensure uninterrupted” residential and emergency vehicle passage, Cuomo’s office said.
Mitigation measures for this project include the removal of the existing double-barrel culvert. Crews will replace the structure with a 71-foot single-span bridge. Workers will also install stone fill in front of the abutments and along the wingwalls to protect the structure against future erosion.
“In 2019, intense flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario caused sections of roadway to be fully submerged in water, making travel hazardous and in some cases forcing emergency closures,” Cuomo said. “The safety of New Yorkers is our top priority. Through REDI, we will ensure that when high water events occur, roadways remain clear and open allowing continued safe travel for residents and emergency vehicles.”
“Through the governor’s REDI program, vital upgrades will be made to ensure that we do not have to close the road during times of high water,” Town of Sterling Supervisor Scott Crawford said. “These improvements will protect the residents of Sterling and visitors, by allowing safe passage as well as ensuring emergency vehicles are able to respond quickly to calls.”
Little Sodus Bay project complete
Besides the Sterling project, Cuomo announced the completion of dredging at Little Sodus Bay in Cayuga County as part of the state’s $15 million REDI regional dredging project, which removed built-up sediment from the bottom of the waterway to allow for continued safe passage of watercraft.
The Little Sodus Bay project removed approximately 6,000 cubic yards of sediment, which was then deposited on the shoreline east of the navigation channel to rebuild and protect the beach.
About REDI
In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and “bolster” economic development in the region.
Five REDI regional planning committees — which included 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 embody the REDI mission.