Project to Repair and Replace Approximately 2,000 Linear Feet of Sanitary Sewer and Water Lines Under State Route 86 and Existing Buildings Between Main Street and Mirror Lake
DOT Invests Nearly $35 Million in Upgrades to North Country Roads and Bridges
During Climate Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today provided an update on a $15.6 million comprehensive water infrastructure construction project underway in Lake Placid and transportation improvements to State roads and bridges in the North Country. The project includes repairs and replacement of approximately 2,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer and water lines located under State Route 86 and existing buildings between Main Street and Mirror Lake that will prevent potential sewage overflows and reduce adverse water quality and public health impacts to Mirror Lake. The Main Street portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.
The Governor also provided an update on the New York State Department of Transportation's investment of nearly $35 million to make critical upgrades to vital state roads and bridges near Lake Placid in the last several years. In the past two years, DOT has been resurfacing more than 37 miles of Route 86, Route 73 and Route 9N in Essex County in the vicinity of Lake Placid.
"New York State is committed to building healthy and resilient communities here in the Village of Lake Placid and throughout the North Country, especially during Climate Week," Governor Hochul said. "We're helping local governments access the resources they need to complete critical infrastructure improvement projects that are innovative and achieve environmental, social and economic benefits. This project is a prime example of how governments work harder and smarter when they partner together and work towards the common goals we all value."
Lake Placid Main Street Water Infrastructure
In addition to the sewer work, the Village of Lake Placid will install green stormwater infrastructure including bioretention, porous paver sidewalks and stormwater street trees as part of a larger Main Street Reconstruction Project. These green infrastructure practices will capture and filter stormwater runoff from paved areas on Main Street and the adjacent densely developed hillside watershed, which currently flow directly into Mirror Lake.
Additional components of the project will help address water supply capacity inadequacies including the addition of a 1.5-million-gallon water storage tank and other improvements at the water treatment plant and provide a revitalized streetscape in the business district of the Village while enhancing public safety, walkability and quality of life.
The Main Street portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. Progress to date includes the installation of three infiltration chambers that will filter stormwater and prevent it from going into Mirror Lake. Installation of the new main water line along the length of Main Street has been completed and is now operational. Hookups to all the restaurants, stores and residences is nearly finished.
Financing for the project included:
EFC Green Innovation Grant: $6,334,300
- EFC Low-Cost Financing: $6,246,928
- DOT Grant: $2,970,000
- Lake Placid Total Project Cost: $15,551,228
Through the Governor's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process, the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. The GIGP program is funded by both the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the NYS Clean Infrastructure Act of 2017. GIGP-funded projects may be found from Buffalo to the end of Long Island and range from rain gardens to stream "daylighting" projects.
The GIGP will provide up to $20 million in grant funding on a competitive basis to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of one or more of the following green practices: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, and Water Efficiency. Since its inception in 2009, 255 projects, worth $202 million have been awarded. In 2020, 70 percent of GIGP projects were awarded to projects serving Environmental Justice communities.
"New York State is committed to building healthy and resilient communities here in the Village of Lake Placid and throughout the North Country, especially during Climate Week."
Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "I applaud Governor Hochul for her commitment to enhancing the safety and increasing the sustainability of the Village of Lake Placid and the greater North Country region. The investments being implemented today will enhance the competitiveness of this majestic community by protecting the environment through improved wastewater and stormwater management as well as providing safe and accessible pedestrian and bicyclist access to the downtown business district."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "In just one month since she took office, Governor Hochul has doubled down on New York's commitment to bolstering the ability of communities across the state to better prepare for severe weather and flooding driven by climate change. By advancing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strategically investing in green infrastructure, Governor Hochul is leading by example. Today's announcement in Lake Placid is an investment in the future of this community and DEC is proud to partner with EFC and the village of Lake Placid to advance this green innovation grant project that will protect Mirror Lake using green, sustainable infrastructure."
Environmental Facilities Corporation Senior Vice President and COO Molly Larkin said, "EFC is pleased to partner with the Village of Lake Placid to provide grants and low-cost financing to support this exciting project. You can see the construction that will result in a beautifully revitalized streetscape, but what you can't see are the cutting-edge green stormwater technologies and new water lines beneath it that will help lay the groundwork for economic development. EFC remains committed to administering the grant funds released by Governor Hochul this week and helping as many communities as possible to get shovels in the ground for their water infrastructure projects, and EFC thanks her for increasing the amount of green infrastructure grants that will provide innovative solutions for communities like Lake Placid and position them for growth, prosperity and resiliency."
Department of Transportation Projects
DOT's road work in the vicinity of Lake Placid includes resurfacing that is largely completed on nearly seven miles of Route 86 between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake; much of that work occurred at night to minimize traffic impacts.
In the Town of Keene, DOT resurfaced two portions of Route 73, a key connector between Exit 30 of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) and Lake Placid. The Department also replaced a deteriorating culvert underneath Route 73 in Keene last summer and is nearing completion on replacements of worn guiderails in the towns of Keene and North Elba along segments of this road.
DOT also opened a new "Ski Jump Bridge" on Route 73 over the West Branch of the Ausable River, in view of the 1980 Olympic ski jumps just south of Lake Placid, in 2017; the new bridge replaced a pair of 85-year-old bridges across the river. Between 2015 and 2017, DOT also replaced seven bridges on Route 73 in the Town of Keene leading to Lake Placid.
Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin said, "Today's announcement is a major milestone in the progress we are achieving toward our revitalization efforts along Main Street. On behalf of the Village of Lake Placid, I want to thank all of our incredible economic development partners involved in this effort for supporting progress in our community."
North Elba Supervisor Jay Rand said, "A revitalized streetscape and infrastructure upgrades will improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors and will have a positive impact on our community. We couldn't be more excited about the future."
Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Shaun Gillilland said, "Resilient infrastructure is critical to growing our downtowns. This development will lay a new foundation for growth here in Essex County."
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