For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Oneida County will be reconstructing two miles of Trenton Road, also known as Old State Route 12, in the town of Trenton.

"This project has been identified as a top need in our area," Griffo said noting that the project had received the support of the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Governmental Policy and Liaison Committee, which works with the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study and Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program to prioritize and allocate federal, state and local transportation dollars. "Infrastructure repairs are vital to our community" said Griffo.

Griffo also credited Oneida County Legislator Brian M. Miga, (R-9), for his advocacy in ensuring attention to this vital project. "Trenton Road is a major highway for Trenton and other nearby communities that are all experiencing growth in residential development" said Miga.

Griffo said the project involves reconstructing two miles of the roadway, along with replacement of a bridge and structure. The project will focus on the section of Trenton Road from the Deerfield-Trenton line north to Powell Road.

The estimated total cost of the project is $4.041 million, which will make it the largest highway reconstruction project Oneida County has undertaken. Federal funding will pick up 80 percent of the project’s costs. Oneida County will seek state reimbursement of the non-federal share. Generally, state funding will assume up to 15 percent of the overall project cost, leaving the net county share at 5 percent of the project.

Montgomery Watson Harza is currently under contract to perform preliminary engineering and design work for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2004 and be completed in 2005.

"Before a single inch of highway is rebuilt, we will be meeting the residents and the officials in the Trenton area. We want to incorporate the needs and wants of our residents into the final design of the project to the extent that our funding will allow us to do so. In a project this major that involves road reconstruction and bridge replacement, we know there will be a major impact on the people who live along Trenton Road as well as those who use it regularly. We hope that they will all become involved in the process of working with the project engineers" Griffo said. Miga echoed Griffo’s sentiments adding "Community input will be vital to the success of this project."