Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Flood Resiliency Projects in Orleans County

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a $1.7 million resiliency project on Lakeshore Road in the Town of Carlton, Orleans County, as part of the State's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). Past ice pressure and severe storm damage has eroded the bluff adjacent to Lakeshore Road, which not only created hazardous situations on the road, but also posed risks to public utilities and nearby private property. To remedy this, the project addressed erosion issue and strengthened shoreline protection, through the installation of an onshore riprap revetment system with regraded slope. In addition, the area between the revetment and the slope was vegetated to minimize potential erosion loss and protect the toe of the bluff. Improved stormwater collection and landscaping along the roadway will also help to reduce flooding during extreme precipitation events.

"Many shoreline communities along Lake Ontario bore the brunt of climate change's effects through more severe storms and historic flooding events, and through New York's REDI program, we are making strategic investments in these communities to make the region safer for its residents and visitors," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "As we look to the future, protecting the people who live in these communities is my top priority, and shoreline resiliency projects like this one will help mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and create sustainable infrastructure."

Additionally, Governor Hochul announced the completion of a $261,000 resiliency project awarded to the town of Carlton, also through the REDI program. Flood resiliency measures undertaken in this project include the construction of a new access road and installation of riprap stone along the shoreline to protect the public water line during future high-water events. The shoreline along Lakeside Park Road, which runs along a peninsula between Lake Ontario and Johnson Creek, has experienced degradation due to repeated flooding events. The shoreline erosion caused the access road to become unusable, resulting in the loss of land protecting homes, and approximately 300 linear feet of public water line at risk of being exposed and compromised. The completed project mitigates future flooding risk and reduces the erosion of the Lakeside Park Road, while ensuring safe access for residents and emergency responders, and protecting critical infrastructure.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and REDI Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "Through REDI investments, New York State is partnering with local governments across the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River region to advance projects that will protect shoreline communities historically susceptible to flooding from severe storms. Community leaders identified the critical need to fortify the shoreline along Lakeshore Road to ensure access for residents and visitors in the town of Carlton, and today marks a significant milestone in the progress of this project."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "The impacts of our changing climate continue to adversely affect shoreline communities and our transportation infrastructure. Erosion and flooding have repeatedly made Lakeside Park Road impassable, which in turn caused delays and hardships for both residents and emergency personnel. The New York State Department of Transportation, along with our local and state partners at the REDI Commission, is unwavering it its commitment to making our infrastructure more resilient, and that's exactly what this project helps to support."

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "New York State continues making progress to safeguard Lake Ontario communities from future storms and flooding. This latest collaboration with the town of Carlton will help protect vital public infrastructure and private property, while slowing further shoreline erosion."

Senator Robert Ortt said, "Rapidly eroding shoreline and threats to critical infrastructure along Lakeshore Road has required quick and decisive action by New York State and the REDI Commission to protect public safety. By intervening in this situation, addressing the ongoing erosion, and making the proper corrective improvements to existing shoreline protection, our state will be resolving both current safety concerns and protecting against issues that may have arisen in the future."

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley said, "The preservation of our shoreline and protection of our roads is always of the utmost importance, so seeing this project approach its conclusion is very welcome news for all who travel through the area. As I saw firsthand when on a tour with the Army Corps of Engineers in July, the erosion taking place along the road would have become a real threat to the safety of travelers if left unaddressed. Additionally, the loss of the road would increase commute times for workers and travel time for emergency vehicles and could have cost our region thousands of dollars in lost economic activity."

Orleans County Legislative Chair Lynne Johnson said, "As we get set to bring the Lakeshore Road REDI project to substantial completion, we send our thanks to the Governor and the REDI Commission for making this project a reality. With their assistance, Orleans County was able to transform a critical piece of our infrastructure into a more resilient asset. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this process. The entire team did an amazing job. We would also like to thank the residents along Lakeshore Road for their patience, as we disrupted their normal routines. This project would not have been feasible without their cooperation."

Town of Carlton Supervisor Gayle Ashbery said, "The town of Carlton is pleased that through our partnership with New York State and with Governor Hochul'scontinued commitment to the shoreline communities, the Lakeshore Park Road flood resiliency project has completed. When the Lake Ontario waters rise, and we are faced with flooding in the future, we can be confident that our shoreline is secure, and critical waterline infrastructure is safe."

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established 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. Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million, to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Since the creation of the State's REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 82 projects in the design phase, 19 projects in the construction phase, and 33 projects completed.

For additional information, project profiles and REDI news, click here.