Poughkeepsie... “Dutchess County is prepared to quickly trigger several ready-to-go infrastructure projects to stimulate economic activity utilizing federal funds should they become available with the proposal adoption of an Infrastructure Stimulus Bill,” wrote Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus in letters (see sample enclosed) sent to US Senate & Congressional representatives Schumer, Gillibrand, Hall and Hinchey last week.

Federal officials are currently working on an Infrastructure Stimulus Bill designed to reinvigorate the workforce by using federal money to build and rehabilitate infrastructure, focusing on "ready to go" projects that can start in less than 180 days.    County Executive Steinhaus reached out to the County’s federal representatives to ensure Dutchess County projects make it to the top of the list of projects funded with federal dollars.

“Dutchess County has several ready to go infrastructure projects including highway, bridge, sewer, water and other community building projects which follow smart growth principles, improve our infrastructure and will generate job growth,” said County Executive Steinhaus.  “Projects have received preliminary design, so they can be carried out in the short term.”

County Executive Steinhaus provided a list of 19 projects including highway & engineering projects, water & sewer infrastructure upgrades, new water & sewer development as well as transportation/recreation projects.   “We included any project in our inventory that meets the qualifications as ‘ready-to-go’,” said Steinhaus.    Some of the projects include:

• Shorehaven Water System upgrade in the Town of Pawling
• Harlem Valley Rail Trail Extension through the towns of North East, Millerton, Amenia and Dover
• Replacement of Crum Elbow Road Bridge crossing over the Fallkill in the Town of Hyde Park
• Rehabilitation of County Road 93 (Middlebush Road in the area of Camelli Drive) in the Town of Wappinger

County Executive Steinhaus offered to the information to County’s elected senate and congressional representatives and noted the County has the “capability and depth to marshal the organizational resources required to complete the work and ensure the success of this stimulus legislation.”

View attached Infrastructure Stimulus Letters (.pdf)