FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Odell Praises Bipartisan Efforts for Pudding St. Study

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MaryEllen Odell
Putnam County Executive
(845) 808-1001
April 5, 2013

Odell Praises Bipartisan Efforts for Pudding St. Study

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell was quick to praise Sen. Terry Gipson, Putnam Valley Supervisor Robert Tendy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assemblyman Steve Katz and the State Department of Transportation for their successful joint effort in securing $1 million grant for an engineering and design study needed to build an overpass at the Pudding Street intersection on the Taconic State Parkway.

“This has been a problem for Putnam Valley residents for a very long time,” said Odell. “It certainly is time for the entrance and exit at Pudding Street to be updated to a much safer overpass design. I’m thrilled, as I’m sure all our Putnam Valley residents are, that so many elected officials including the Governor, Sen. Gipson, Assemblyman Katz, Supervisor Tendy and the State DOT were able to get this long overdue project moving forward once again.”

The dangerous intersection has been a concern for Putnam County Commissioner of Highways and Facilities Fred Pena as well.

“I’m confident that our partners at NYSDOT are reviewing the safety concerns at the Pudding Street Taconic Parkway intersection,” said Pena. “I, too, would like to thank Sen. Gipson for helping to secure the funding necessary to take the first steps toward a final solution to this important matter.”

Pena said he would make himself “readily available to meet with State DOT staff” to review the safety concerns and “assist in determining both short and long term solutions.”

Gipson, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, promised Odell after he was elected last November that he would look into the long delayed overpass project. The construction of an overpass was first promised to Putnam Valley residents back in 2003.

“The Pudding Street Project is an example of how we can place our constituents’ interests first and set aside party politics to work together to get things done,” said Gipson. “I look forward to continuing to work with state and local officials of both parties to make sure this project is completed.”

The Pudding St. intersection is the last remaining grade-level crossing on the TSP in Putnam County and one that has remained a safety concern for residents whose children ride school buses that traverse the busy parkway up to 20 times per day during the school year.