The federal government shutdown could be tying up traffic in Lancaster.
The village stood to receive more than $200,000 in a community development grant toward its Smart Growth Community project to help establish bike lanes on Central Avenue, Lancaster Mayor William Schroeder said. But because of the government’s closure, the funding can’t be released.
Lancaster isn’t alone – Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said 13 municipalities across the county, not counting Buffalo, are waiting on more than $1.5 million in federal development grants.
The funding was announced on January 4, well after the government shut down on December 21.
The funding for Lancaster was also earmarked to help improve bus stops, “to make them more comfortable to encourage everyone to use mass transit,” Schroeder said.
Without the federal funding, Schroeder said the project will still be completed, it will just take longer to start and complete.
“Until you get that final check, anything could happen in grants,” he said. “Usually they’re pretty good about it, but, of course, the federal government shutdown is not helping.”
Other projects that stand to receive funding:
- Village of Lancaster — Smart Growth Improvements – Central Avenue - $201,21
- City of Lackawanna – Milling and Paving of Holbrook Street - $100,000
- City of Tonawanda – Gibson and Wheeler Street Sanitary Sewer Lining - $100,000
- Town of Brant – Senior Center Improvements Project - $100,00
- Town of North Collins – Lawtons Waterline Installation Project - $100,000
- Town of Evans – Senior Center Renovations -$100,000
- Town of West Seneca – Road Milling and Paving of Emporium Avenue, Eldred Avenue and Gordon Avenue - $100,000
- Town of Boston – ADA Modifications to North Boston Town Park Restroom Building - $100,000
- Town of Lancaster – Senior Center and ADA Improvements - $51,413
- Town of Sardinia – Manion Park ADA Restroom Improvements - $100,000
- Village of Springville – Well #1 Replacement - $100,000
- Village of Gowanda – Hollywood Theater Renovations - $100,000
- Various Communities — Rural Transit Service: $270,000