(Washington) – U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19) will be holding a press conference to call on the NYS Department of Transportation to undertake every possible effort to expedite the release of Emergency Relief program funds for the repair & replacement of the Forge Hill Road Bridge in the Town of New Windsor.

Congresswoman Hayworth was one of the first public officials to tour the destruction in Orange County, specifically the Forge Hill Bridge, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

In response, as co-chair of the non partisan Hurricane Irene Coalition in the House of Representatives, she requested additional funding for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program.  Of the $1.66 billion appropriated for the (FHWA) emergency relief program, approximately $90 million of that aid was released to New York State through the FHWA Emergency Relief Program

The Orange County Department of Public Works reports that (FHWA) funds can be used for repair or replacement of the Forge Hill Road Bridge, which was destroyed by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee back in August of last year. The result was washed away embankments endangering homes and continuing public safety and traffic concerns.   

On July 25, 2012 the congresswoman sent a letter to NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald stating that Orange County and Town of New Windsor residents need DOT’s “urgent assistance” and “immediate consideration” in  moving the process forward so work on the bridge can begin.

As of the date of this release there has be no response by DOT to any requests

Who:

U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19)                     

Orange County Executive, Ed Diana                                                     

NYS Assemblywoman, Nancy Calhoun (A.D. 96)                                     

New Windsor Supervisor, George Green 

Other Officials

What:                                                                                                       

Press Conference calling for NYSDOT to expedite approval process of Federal Funds for repair & needed replacement of the Forge Hill Road Bridge over Moodna Creek.

When: Thursday, August 30, 2012  from at 10:00 am – 10:45 am

Where: Forge Hill Bridge, 91 Forge Hill Road  New Windsor, NY 12533 - The East Side of the Moodna Creek on Forge Hill Road.

Background:                                                                                          

There has been discussion among Orange County officials about repairing parts of the bridge that needs it and replacing the parts of the bridge that are missing. The Forge Hill Road Bridge lost the support along the abutment and the actual apron from the road resulting in about a 50 foot hole. The plan is to rebuild part of the bridge and extend it.