LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION requesting President Barack Obama and the United
States Congress to consider furthering the progress of the North Country
Transportation Study, specifically the component of the Study of the
stand-alone, limited access four-lane highway with four-lane spurs

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to focus attention
on the fact that the North Country region of the State of New York is
significantly economically depressed; and
WHEREAS, In order to begin to address these economic deficits, the
North Country Transportation Study was conducted and identified trans-
portation infrastructure improvements as a key component to stimulate
economic development; and
WHEREAS, The economic development impact analysis of the study demon-
strated measurable value through efficiencies such as the reduction in
travel time, reductions in operating costs, and reductions in accidents
which would result from infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, The study identified the construction of a stand-alone,
limited access four-lane highway within the boundaries of Lewis, Jeffer-
son, St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton Counties with four-lane spurs
to the international bridges in Massena and Ogdensburg, and to the Town
of Lowville as a key component of the transportation infrastrucure
upgrades necessary to foster economic development and growth; and
WHEREAS, The gains through increased economic development opportu-
nities to the North Country by improved transportation access, providing
safer, faster and, therefore, less expensive ground transportation which
complements other existing transportation capacity will reduce unemploy-
ment rates and the need for government assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, These economic benefits will allow for better access to our
natural resources, labor force, international trade corridors, tourism
destinations, and existing businesses which will spur economic develop-
ment and strengthen the North Country economy and thereby the economy of
the entire State of New York and the United States; and
WHEREAS, The North Country Transportation Study was undertaken with
Federal Highway Transportation funding and New York State Department of
Transportation funding; and
WHEREAS, It is of vital economic importance to continue to make
progress on the stand-alone, limited access four-lane highway with four-
lane spurs component of the transportation infrastructure improvements
identified in the Study, especially at a time when such projects are
integral to not only local and state economic revitalization but to the
recovery of our national economy as well; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
request President Barack Obama and the United States Congress, with
respect to multi-year federal transportation investment including the
reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transpor-
tation Equity Act: a Legacy for User ("SAFETEA-LU," Public Law 109-59),
to consider furthering the progress of the North Country Transportation
Study, specifically the component of the Study for the stand-alone,
limited access four-lane highway with four-lane spurs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Barack Obama, Governor David A. Paterson, United
States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and to each
member of the New York State Congressional delegation.