Westchester, NY - Assemblyman Steve Otis (AD 91) and Senator Shelley Mayer (SD 37) announced two important state grants awarded to Sound Shore communities that will assist each community with bridge infrastructure projects that are part of broader flood mitigation plans for their respective watersheds.

The City of Rye was awarded $5 million for the replacement of the Locust Avenue bridge over Blind Brook. The project will provide for better water flow in storm events and help in the city’s broader plans to mitigate flooding on the Blind Brook watershed and within Rye’s Central Business District.

The Town of Mamaroneck was awarded $769,000 to help fund the replacement of the superstructure of the Rockland Avenue bridge over Sheldrake River. This project will improve water flow at the Sheldrake River in Mamaroneck and is part of the multi-faceted flood mitigation program in the Village of Mamaroneck.

The confluence of the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers is one of the most challenging flood damage locations in the state. Separate from these two bridge projects, Assemblyman Otis and Senator Mayer included $17.5 million in the recently adopted state budget to provide New York State’s share of the Federal Army Corps of Engineers project for the Mamaroneck Sheldrake watershed.

Assemblyman Otis said, “These are important state funds to help address flood mitigation issues on the Sound Shore. Governor Hochul has been very supportive of our water infrastructure and storm resiliency needs in Westchester. Congratulations to the Town and Village of Mamaroneck and the City of Rye for submitting successful applications that brings these state dollars to our communities. Senator Mayor and I have worked closely together on flood mitigation and water initiatives in every community we share.”

Senator Mayer said, “I am pleased by Governor Hochul’s announcement that the Town of Mamaroneck and the City of Rye each received funding for bridge rehabilitation and replacement through the State’s BRIDGE NY initiative. Of the $60.1 million given to the Mid-Hudson region, I am honored that Mamaroneck will receive $769,000 to replace the superstructure of the Rockland Avenue bridge and the City of Rye will receive $5 million to replace the Locust Avenue bridge. Given the impact of climate change and flooding in each of these communities, this funding has been a high priority. This investment is critical to ensure our bridges are resilient in the face of increased climate change-related hazards. I applaud Governor Hochul for her commitment to these issues and thank her; Commissioner Dominguez and the staff of the State Department of Transportation; Mamaroneck Supervisor Jane Elkind Eney and the Mamaroneck Town Board; City of Rye Mayor Josh Cohn and the City of Rye Council for their efforts.”

Mayor of Rye Josh Cohn said, “The Locust Avenue Bridge is one of our well-known flood trouble spots. We are delighted to have this Bridge NY funding to help replace it. We are very grateful to Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis for their constant support, and, of course, to Governor Hochul.”

Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney said, “The Town Board and I truly appreciate the awarding of these funds from Governor Hochul’s office as the Town of Mamaroneck continually makes every possible effort to harden our infrastructure to mitigate the effects of flooding in our community. The planned deck replacement on the Rockland Avenue Bridge will improve resiliency of the vehicle crossing that is located on an important Town roadway. The Town will consider all available storm hardening opportunities during design of the bridge improvements to protect our infrastructure and the broader Mamaroneck community against the effects of climate change. Much appreciation goes out to Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis who work tirelessly together to champion the Town’s needs.”

Mayor of the Village of Mamaroneck Tom Murphy said, “I am very grateful to Assemblyman Otis and Senator Mayer for coming through for Mamaroneck once again. Where this bridge is located is at the epicenter of flooding and where significant damage has been sustained by our residents. Any improvement that will help speed stormwater through Mamaroneck is both welcome and needed.”

The bridge funding for Mamaroneck and Rye were provided through the State's BRIDGE NY program, which assists local governments across the state harden their existing infrastructure while boosting the resiliency of bridges and culverts in the state. The State's BRIDGE NY initiative supports projects that combat climate change by reducing the risk of flooding, improves the resiliency of structures, facilitates regional economic competitiveness, and prioritizes projects that benefit environmental justice communities.

This announcement builds upon the more than $716 million that had previously been awarded to local governments statewide. As part of the State's historic $32.8 billion capital plan adopted last year, $1 billion was committed to BRIDGE NY, effectively doubling the size of the program.