Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater announced that state funding has been released for repairs on two important area roads, Route 52 in the Towns of Kent and Carmel in Putnam County and Route 35 / 202 in the Town of Yorktown in Westchester County.

The new funding for road repairs is part of a $100 million state effort at 64 different locations statewide to renew well-trafficked roadways impacted by extreme weather. Harckham and Slater recently sent a joint letter to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) addressing the issues with Route 52.

“The current disrepair of certain sections of our state roadways is unacceptable,” said Harckham. “Governor Hochul’s timely influx of funding for necessary improvements on two important area thoroughfares will benefit local residents and small businesses, as well as those traveling through the region. Ensuring the safety of motorists on our roads needs to remain a priority when it comes to infrastructure investments, and I will continue to fight for funding to help improve the condition of our roadways.”

“Governor Hochul finally heard my plea for the resurfacing of Route 52 and Route 35 / 202,” said Slater. “We know our state roads need greater care and investment, both in Putnam and Westchester counties. These corridors are the main arteries that connect our communities. Residents throughout the 94th Assembly District pay some of the highest property taxes in the country, and having safe state roads is not an unfair expectation. Working with our partners on all levels of government, I am glad to see this road will be paved for the safety of all who traverse it.”

Included in this new funding is:

$5.2 million to resurface Route 35 / 202 from the Taconic State Parkway interchange to Route 118 in the Town of Yorktown, and

$3.6 million to resurface Route 52 from Route 311 to Fowler Avenue in the Towns of Carmel and Kent.

Route 52 stretches through the towns of Kent and Carmel in Putnam County before going north into Dutchess County. Although areas of the roadway have been paved elsewhere, a strip of road located in Kent was skipped over. This area of road has continued to deteriorate over the years, with many residents issuing complaints. According to a recent study of the conditions of state roads, the Hudson Valley’s Region 8 was ranked as the worst while having the most miles of lane roads, and more bridges than Long Island and New York City combined.

“I am thrilled to hear the news that Route 52 in the Town of Kent will finally be repaved,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “This has been a long-standing issue for the residents of Kent and Putnam County, causing frustration and inconvenience for daily commuters and businesses, and one that Assemblyman Slater, Supervisor McGlasson and I raised awareness about last year. I want to extend my thanks to the state of New York for recognizing the urgency of this situation and taking action to improve the road for the safety and well-being of our residents.”

“We have been trying to get this done for 10 years and Matt, along with other officials, have done it in two months while in office,” said Kent Highway Superintendent Rich Othmer “The roads are in deplorable shape, and hopefully we can expand on these efforts in the years to come.”

“It is great that our state representatives are standing behind us to get money for road resurfacing in the Hudson Valley,” said Yorktown Town Supervisor Tom Diana.

“This is a major thoroughfare in our community and this project will improve the quality of life for our residents and benefit all of our visitors as well,” said Yorktown Town Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli. “I thank our state representatives for making this happen.”