State Pledges $5M For New Roosevelt Island Bike Lane

ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NY — A project to create a new bike lane on Roosevelt Island will receive $5 million in funding from the state, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week.

The state will turn over funds to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation to construct a bike lane on the island's eastern promenade, Cuomo said. The project is one of four city-based walking and biking infrastructure projects the state has agreed to help fund.

"New York State is making historic, nation-leading investments in cleaner and more sustainable transportation infrastructure which is crucial to the growth of local economies," Cuomo said in a statement. "These investments in bike and pedestrian enhancements across the state will help revitalize communities, reduce our carbon footprint and demonstrate once again that New York is building for the future."

The four New York City projects are receiving $14.6 million of a statewide investment of $144.6 million for 72 projects, state officials said. Projects selected by the state will spur an additional $215 million in investment to local communities by both private and public entities, Como said.

Projects were selected for funding based on a competitive application process where applicants presented on how their projects would increase options for non-vehicular transportation and reduce vehicle emissions or traffic congestion, state officials said.

"The projects announced today will reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in communities across the state, paving the path to a cleaner and greener future for generations to come," state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a statement.

More projects receiving funding are expected to be announced in the future.