WASHINGTON – US Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the Federal Highway Administration and the state Department of Transportation to unlock more than $7.8 million in previously secured federal funds for 22 transportation projects in Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties.
He wants to repurpose the money, which was originally targeted for other projects in the region, but only a small portion was used or the infrastructure projects were deemed no longer necessary.
Those types of funds were previously blocked from being repurposed, but a 2015 provision in the omnibus spending bill allows states to repurpose unspent federal funds originally earmarked for specific purposes more than 10 years ago, where at least 90 percent of the money remained unobligated.
Schumer said because many of these proposed projects are within 50 miles
of the original projects and mees these requirements, they could be eligible
to take advantage of the provision.
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