$1.59 Million Stimulus Fund Project At Camp Smith Training Site

• by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY (08/26/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson announced today that a $1.59 million project to repair the roadway providing access to the New York National Guard's Camp Smith Training Site,funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),has been awarded to a Jericho, Nassau County company.

Hirani Construction Management Inc. was awarded the contract by the New York State Office of General Services on Monday, August 3. Work on the project is due to begin in September or early October and be finished in March 2010.

The roadway due to be repaired links the National Guard training site in the Town of Cortlandt Manor to Bear Mountain Bridge Road, US Routes 6 and 202. The entry road slopes up from Hudson River and the retaining wall has deteriorated. This makes getting the National Guard's large vehicles up and down the road hazardous.

"This project is critical for the readiness and emergency response capability of the New York Army National Guard," said Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and commander of the New York Army National Guard.

"Camp Smith is the site we would use to marshal forces deploying to respond to emergencies in New York City and on Long island. If this road deteriorates further our heavy trucks would not longer be able to access this critical site. Camp Smith is also key to our National Guard training strategy, so access to the site for our largest vehicles is vital," Taluto explained.

"Fixing Camp Smith's entrance roadway is exactly the type of project the Economic Recovery Package was designed to fund. Not only will this project make Camp Smith a more effective training ground for New York's Army National Guard, it will also bring jobs to the area and stimulate the local economy,' said Rep. John Hall, who represents New York's 19 Congressional District.

Repairing the road is especially important for the New York Army National Guard, since a key regional maintenance facility is located at Camp Smith.

Hirani Construction will reinforce the existing retaining wall and drive new piles to reinforce the road. The contract also requires the company to resurface the access road and replace the existing guard rails.