Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that New York State expects to receive $1.915 billion in storm resiliency funding from the federal government.

Commenting on the funding, Governor Cuomo said:

“Adjusting to the new reality of extreme weather is a collaborative effort, and the more than $1.9 billion awarded today by the federal government will help us build a stronger and more resilient New York.”

“Superstorm Sandy taught us the importance of preparing for the worst and the need to reimagine our state to meet the challenges of a changing climate. Over the past few years we’ve focused on everything from storm-proofing homes and electrical stations to protecting subway entrances and other vital infrastructure from the effects of major flooding. This funding will ensure that our State has the resources it needs to continue building back stronger and better than ever before.”

 Of the $1.915 billion in funding from the Federal Transit Administration, approximately $1.6 billion supports projects managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and approximately $212 million supports projects managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The New York City Department of Transportation is also expected to approximately $200 million.

The wide range of projects to strengthen the State’s storm resilience includes:

Mitigation of Flooding in Rail Yards ($617 million)

Superstorm Sandy’s tidal surge inundated yards throughout the system, damaging power and communications systems, switches, signals and track, sometimes flooding into tunnels to further damage assets. The project will protect ten rail yards in flood-prone areas with a design to meet or exceed the 100-year design standard, improving perimeter protection, drainage improvements and pumping.

Protection of Street-Level Openings ($301 million)

The MTA has identified more than 500 openings serving stations in Lower Manhattan alone which allow water into the subway system. The necessary openings, such as stairwells, elevators, escalators, sidewalk vents and manholes – through which millions of gallons of salt water entered the system during Sandy – will receive fixed or deployable emergency flood covers.

 Rockaway Line Storm Protections ($137 million)

The severe storm surge during Sandy caused extensive damage, including more than three miles of flooded rail line across Jamaica Bay and a quarter mile breach that disrupted service, and necessitated a seven month shut-down of the subway link to the Rockaways. Work to date includes a steel seawall to protect against future storm surges. However, two flood prone stations and other assets critical to the Rockaway Line require protection and flood mitigation.

River to River Rail Resiliency for Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak ($81 million)

The project is a joint effort by two of the nation’s largest railroads with the support of New Jersey Transit to protect the rail tunnels and yard system that serve the railroads and ensure the connectivity of service on both commuter railroads and the entire northeast corridor.

Emergency Communications Enhancements ($75 million)

The funding will support the upgrading of New York City Transit’s Emergency Booth Communications system to allow faster and more reliable emergency communications to customers and among personnel during emergencies.

Protection of Tunnel Portals and Internal Tunnel Sealing ($43 million)

The project will prevent incursion of water through three vulnerable tunnel portals.

Other projects include hardening of substations ($112 million), pumping capacity ($24 million), right-of-way equipment hardening ($64 million), internal station hardening ($20 million), flood resiliency for critical bus depots ($45 million), Metro North power and signals resiliency ($38 million),  flood resiliency for NYC transit critical support facilities ($24 million)