Construction Start of Resiliency Project in Niagara County

February 26, 2021 - Then-Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced construction has begun on a $500,000 resiliency project awarded under the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. This project will address a badly deteriorated steel waterline which has been identified as at-risk. The Town of Wilson owns and operates the local water supply system, serving the approximately 5,800 residents.

"The REDI program is a testament to what we can accomplish when state and local governments work in tandem to better their communities," then-Governor Cuomo said. "This project in Niagara County is yet another example of New York's continued commitment to revitalization and resiliency. We are building New York back better to withstand whatever Mother Nature sends our way."

A section of this infrastructure, a 275-foot steel water line, is suspended above Twelve-mile Creek, fastened to the Roosevelt Beach Bridge. This 8-inch pipe section is nearly 60-years-old and, due to exposure to the elements, had badly deteriorated, requiring emergency repairs by the town and disruption of the water service. Mitigation measures for this project include replacing approximately 275 feet of badly deteriorated steel waterline, ensuring a reliable water supply for local residences and businesses.

“Shoreline communities in Niagara County have faced tremendous challenges in recent years due to flooding and the impact of climate change, but New York State continues to lead the way in building resiliency for the future,” then-Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The Roosevelt Beach Bridge Waterline Replacement Project will address the deteriorated steel waterline in the Town of Wilson, and protect critical infrastructure to ensure reliable water supply.”

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "As a member of Governor's Cuomo's REDI Commission, we had the opportunity to work directly with the local municipalities to identify and invest in projects that enhance the community's ability to withstand the harmful impacts of our changing climate. Projects like this one in the Town of Wilson will help create a more resilient infrastructure that promotes economic growth and improves the quality of life, demonstrating what can be accomplished when we all work together."

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "I commend Governor Cuomo for investing in projects that will make Lake Ontario communities more resilient to future episodes of high water. This project will ensure the security of the water supply for thousands of people for many years to come."

President and CEO of Empire State Development Eric Gertler said, "This critical infrastructure project will replace a 275-foot steel waterline in the Town of Wilson, ensuring a reliable water supply which is necessary for business stability and economic growth. The multi-agency REDI initiative will help rebuild flood-damaged communities spanning the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River shorelines and is another important step in safeguarding the future of our lake-front communities."

Senator Robert Ortt said, "Continuing investment in our state's infrastructure is vital if we are to avoid unnecessarily dangerous and costly disasters. By identifying and proactively treating the Roosevelt Beach Bridge Waterline, New York State is operating on the front foot and ensuring that the residents of the Town of Wilson will continue to have access to a safe and reliable water supply. This type of forward-thinking is essential if we are to continue protecting the health and safety of New York's residents."

Assemblyman Michael Norris said, "I am proud to have worked with the Governor and the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative Commission to deliver critical infrastructure improvement projects that will refortify our shoreline to protect our residents, businesses and community from future high-water emergencies. The $500,000 Roosevelt Beach Bridge Waterline improvements will have a significant impact on our community as the existing 275 ft. of waterline infrastructure has deteriorated and has become a severe liability. I am proud to have worked with the Governor and fellow elected officials to deliver the funding for this project so Wilson can be assured that they will continue to have clean, safe and reliable water."

Niagara County Chairman Rebecca Wydysh said, "New York State's partnership with local communities through the REDI program has been tremendously important to towns along the shore of Lake Ontario that have been negatively impacted by flooding, especially when it comes to replacing damaged, aging infrastructure. There is no better example of this than replacing the Roosevelt Beach Bridge waterline, which is of the utmost importance to the Town of Wilson. I am very happy that this project has now broken ground and want to acknowledge the efforts of my colleague Legislator Dave Godfrey and Wilson Supervisor Doyle Phillips in working to get this done."

Town Supervisor Doyle Phillips said, "Over the last few years the Roosevelt Beach Bridge Waterline has required ongoing maintenance. Governor Cuomo is helping the Town of Wilson resolve this issue through his Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Through this program, and with the funding awarded by the REDI Commission, the waterline will be replaced, ensuring continued, safe water service to our residents, as well as eliminating the maintenance cost and time to the Town. We are thankful for the assistance and partnership that the state has given."

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, then-Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of 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 exemplify the REDI mission.

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