Assemblyman Santabarbara announced that the City of Amsterdam is set to receive $1.73 million through the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery Program for the reconstruction stormwater and sewer infrastructure along Route 5 between Caroline and Division Street. The area was damaged during Hurricane Irene, causing continued backups and flooding of manholes along Route 5. Assemblyman Santabarbara, a civil engineer, advocated for the funds during this year’s legislative session.

"Across the state, communities are still facing the challenge of aging infrastructure,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “As a civil engineer, I know how smart investments like this can help us get ahead of the problems. By replacing old pipes and strengthening sewer systems we can prevent the problems from happening in the first place,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “This funding will help the City of Amsterdam build safer, more reliable infrastructure that is critical to ensuring the health and safety of local residents.”

The project will span over the next few months, with crews reconstructing stormwater and sewer infrastructure under Route 5 between Caroline Street and Division Street. Plans include separation of the existing sewer line from the storm water system to reduce inflow and infiltration during large storm events like we have seen this week that forced Amsterdam’s sewage treatment to overflow into the Mohawk River. The reconstruction project will also support emergency responders by reducing the risk of flooding and unsafe driving conditions during storm events.