Capital Region Infrastructure Projects Advance

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Congressman Paul Tonko announced last week that five local projects totaling $19.955 million that he pushed for to receive federal funding have been advanced out of the House of Representatives, as part of a major infrastructure package, the INVEST in America Act. 

The Capital Region infrastructure projects passed out of House include: $6 million for the purchase of eight CDTA electric buses, $5.7 million for a continuous bicycle and pedestrian route that will connect the Cities of Watervliet and Troy and $1.055 million for Bicycle & Pedestrian Access Improvements for the town of Clifton Park.   

The measure passed by a vote of 221-201, largely along party lines with two Republicans – Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and New Jersey U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith voting alongside 219 Democrats. 

The House of Representatives also passed lifesaving limo safety measures authored by Tonko – a Democrat who represents the 20th Congressional District, following the 2018 Schoharie limo crash that took the lives of 20 people.