The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("ARRA") of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) provides federal funds to the states to reinvigorate the economy, create or retain jobs, and address infrastructure needs. New York has been highly successful in certifying State and local transportation projects for the receipt of New York's share of ARRA transportation infrastructure funding. Investment in these projects, undertaken by recipients including the State and local governments, are putting people to work and allowing critical improvements to be made to transportation infrastructure all across the State.

Transportation infrastructure needs also are the focus of a $25.8 billion Five-Year Capital Program recently proposed by the State Department of Transportation. The proposal makes recommendations for infrastructure investment from 2010-15 in State and local highways and bridges, intercity passenger and freight rail, suburban and upstate transit, ports and airports.

These hearings will provide the Assembly Transportation Committee with an opportunity to obtain testimony from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) on New York's continuing progress in implementing its apportionment of ARRA transportation funds, particularly with respect to the status of NYSDOT projects that have been certified to receive ARRA funding as well as those for which certification is planned. The hearings also will provide the Committee the opportunity to obtain testimony on NYSDOT's proposed 2010-15 Five-Year Capital Program.

Persons invited to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearings should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearings on the New York State Department of Transportation Federal Stimulus Projects and New York State Department of Transportation Five-Year Capital Program are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to:

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