Velázquez Outlines Infrastructure Law Funding Priorities for New York’s 7th Congressional District

Washington, D.C.— On the heels of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill becoming law and the impending billions in federal funding for New York, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul to highlight her priorities for the funding to go towards local projects and upgrades.

The recent law marks the largest investment in infrastructure in American history with New York state poised to receive $13.5 billion over five years in federal highway funds, $11.2 billion over five years to improve public transportation, $6 billion to advance vision zero plans, $14 billion in expanded INFRA grants for freight infrastructure aid, and $23 billion in expanded Capital Investment Grants.

"Across Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, the needs throughout my congressional district are significant," said Velázquez. "I am proud to have supported the legislation's passage, which brings federal investment to meet our communities' needs. However, this is only the beginning of the process. In light of the law's recent passage, we must work together to ensure that infrastructure funding is allocated appropriately across the board. The state has a unique role now that the federal government has done its part. From bridges and tunnels to public housing, I intend to advocate for equitable distribution of funds to meet the most challenging and immediate needs."

The projects that Velázquez is pressing for federal infrastructure funding for are: .

• Provide Brooklyn-Queens Expressway rehabilitation and associated improvements;
• Support New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) repairs and upgrades;
• Construct or rehabilitate accessible transit stations to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards;
• Improve resiliency and protection of coastal areas, especially in areas exhibiting needs (i.e. Red Hook), that may be addressed by initiatives similar to the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency project;
• Begin projects to improve stormwater and sewage infrastructure, with an emphasis on reducing backups;
• Foster improvements and rehabilitation of terminals, ports, piers, docks, and warehouses to support New York's participation in supply chain resiliency projects, similar to the East Coast Marine Highway Initiative's M95 study. Such projects under this category may also include the use of shore power and other infrastructure at Red Hook Terminals, to reduce diesel emissions and pollution;
• Emphasize the importance of pedestrian-centered projects, including the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, to increase transportation alternatives;
• Reduce congestion and pollution on local streets, specifically in local areas connecting major transit arteries to the outer boroughs (i.e. Canal Street corridor connecting Holland Tunnel and the Brooklyn/Manhattan/Williamsburg bridges);
• Advance vision-zero and Safe Route to Schools-related projects, including the use of traffic calming techniques, to ensure pedestrian safety; and
• Increase availability of broadband access, including areas and populations identified by both New York State and New York City lacking broadband access.

The full letter is online here.