GREECE, N.Y. — New York State announced the end of an $850,000 project to upgrade storm sewers along Edgemere Drive in Greece.

It is part of the REDI initiative, and officials hope it can help mitigate problems along the flood-prone stretch, ensuring the road can stay open to residents and first responders.

"New York State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative is vital to helping flood-prone communities not only rebuild, but withstand whatever Mother Nature throws their way," State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in a statement. "The Department of Transportation is proud to work with our state and local partners such as the Town of Greece to strengthen communities, and ensure residents and emergency vehicles can get where they need to go during inclement weather events." 

“With the completion of yet another REDI project, we take another major step forward in securing a more resilient waterfront," Town of Greece Supervisor William Reilich said in a statement. "This project in particular is a victory for economic resiliency and public safety. The historic flooding of 2017 and 2019 left the intersection of Edgemere Drive and Island Cottage Road and other nearby roadways flooded, affecting traffic safety and in some cases making the roads impassable for even emergency responders.  Restaurants at this intersection, which are vital to Greece’s waterfront economy suffered a significant downturn in business as a result of road flooding, only to be hit the very next year by shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The survival of these local businesses is a testament to the strength and adaptability of our local economy. With each project we finish, the REDI program has allowed us to replenish our resiliency funds so we can move on to the next.  We are grateful for the Governor’s recognition and quick response to the economic impacts that would result from the flooding, and our thanks go out to our partners at the state and county Departments of Transportation for bringing this project to completion.”

The REDI commission aims to strengthen, economically and environmentally, areas impacted by flooding near Lake Ontario.