Congresswoman Secures Federal Assistance in Transportation Bill for Route 55-Related Improvements
 
 
BEEKMAN – U.S. Congresswoman Sue Kelly has obtained $1.6 million in federal funds for Route 55-related improvements in Beekman. 

 

At Beekman Town Hall, Kelly and Dutchess County Legislator Gerry Hutchings discussed the future uses of the federal money to help make roads better and safer for Dutchess County residents and other area drivers.
 
Kelly obtained the funds in the Transportation Equity Act, which reauthorizes the federal aid surface transportation program through 2009.
 
“Beekman residents send too much of their hard-earned money to Washington in taxes, so it is very important that we get a good return of federal funds to our area to address our local transportation needs,” Kelly said.
 
Kelly wrote a provision into the bill to secure $1.2 million to replace the Route 55 Bridge over Fishkill Creek in Beekman and construct a left-hand turn lane at the nearby intersection. Another Kelly provision will deliver $400,000 in federal funding to install a Route 55 turning lane at Gardner Hollow Road in Beekman.
 
“This federal money helps ensure that necessary local road repairs can be made without having to collect extra state or local taxes to offset the costs involved,” Kelly said. “Safe driving access around Dutchess County is vitally important, and this federal money will help pay for the required repairs to ensure Route 55 and adjacent roads, intersections, and bridges are safe and structurally sound in Beekman.” 

 

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PHOTO ABOVE: At a meeting at Beekman Town Hall, Sue Kelly and Dutchess County Legislator Gerry Hutchings discuss the $1.6 million in federal assistance that the Congresswoman has obtained for road improvements in Beekman.

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