Binghamton, Dryden and Painted Post will share $9.1 million for sidewalk, trail and school-access improvements under transportation awards announced Wednesday by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Binghamton will receive $4.9 million to reconstruct sidewalks and improve pedestrian and multimodal safety along the Clinton Street corridor. The award supports a route serving city neighborhoods and businesses. Mayor Jared Kraham described the work as an investment in a safer, more walkable Clinton Street.
The Town of Dryden will receive $3 million to build a new segment of the Dryden Rail Trail and upgrade existing portions. Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said the funding will support Phase 3, including accessible entrances at several locations, stone-dust surfacing, safer road crossings and parking.
Painted Post will receive $1.2 million for a new walkway and pedestrian crossing system intended to make it easier to walk to schools. The governor’s announcement lists the purpose of that project without identifying individual streets or giving a construction start date.
The three Southern Tier awards are part of more than $97 million for 35 projects across New York. The money comes through the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program and is administered by the state Department of Transportation.
Eligible work under the program includes sidewalks, crosswalks, shared-use paths and other improvements that support travel outside motor vehicles. The state says the projects are intended to improve safety, strengthen local connections and make walking and bicycling practical alternatives for more residents.
The awards were selected through a competitive process. The announcement identifies the communities, amounts and project purposes; it does not set a single construction timetable for all three Southern Tier projects.
