Serrano Presents Check for $16 million in

Bronx
Transportation Improvements

Washington, DC
, August 4, 2005—Today, Congressman José E. Serrano presented a check for $16 million for transportation improvements in the
Bronx
to Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr.  The funds are slated to fund a series of important transportation improvements in the
Bronx
. The ceremony took place at the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“These funds are critical to responding to the transportation needs of the people of the
Bronx
,” Congressman Serrano said. “I’m proud to have been able to secure funding for these much-needed projects. They will help make the
Bronx
a more pedestrian- and commuter-friendly borough.”

“I’m particularly pleased to be able to help fund the construction of the Yankee Stadium Metro-North station, which will allow Yankee fans from around the city and region to easily access Yankee Stadium. The rehabilitation of

High

Bridge

, a historic part of
New York City
infrastructure, will allow it to quickly become what it deserves to be—a local treasure and a tourist destination. Meanwhile, I know that improving the Grand Concourse and reconstructing the step streets are no less important to
Bronx
residents.”

Congressman Serrano said “the input and collaboration with the Bronx Borough President was invaluable in identifying and planning the projects that we wanted to fund. I thank Borough President Carrión for his partnership.”

 “This $16 million in much needed transportation improvements will have a major impact on the entire borough” Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr. said. “Improvements to the Grand Concourse, funding for a Metro-North Station near the stadium, the rehab of the

High

Bridge

, reconstruction of the borough’s step streets and funding for the zoo will make it easier to move around the borough and more importantly, it will attract more visitors to the
Bronx
.  This has been another successful collaboration between my office and Congressman Serrano; I applaud the Congressman for recognizing the value in investing in the
Bronx
.” 

Among the projects being funded are:

• Phase 2 of the Grand Concourse improvements from East 166th to
  East 171st Street
  , making the Grand Concourse a safer and more pedestrian friendly boulevard. Funding provided: $8 million.

   

• Beginning construction of a Metro-North station at Yankee Stadium. Funding provided: $2,400,000

   

• Reconstruction of pedestrian walkways in the
  Bronx
  , particularly repairing and restoring the Borough's historic “step streets.” Funding provided: $800,000

   

• Rehabilitation of the historic

  High
  
  Bridge

  between the
  Bronx
  and
  Manhattan
  . Funding provided: $4 million

   

• The construction of an intermodal transportation facility at the Bronx Zoo. Funding provided: $836,000.

   

Congressman Serrano successfully included these projects for the
Bronx
in the House of Representatives' bill to reauthorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs that passed both chambers of Congress on July 29, 2005. The bill will fund projects in these areas through fiscal year 2009.