Gov. Cuomo announces $17 billion plan to stormproof New York's infrastructure, transit systems

Following a meeting in Albany, N.Y., with Vice President Joseph Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday a $17 billion upgrade of the state's infrastructure and transportation networks to withstand the impact of extreme weather such as 2012's Hurricane Sandy.

New York has endured nine presidentially declared disasters in the three years since Cuomo took office. A key theme of the state's rebuilding program is that extreme weather is a new reality, Cuomo said in a press release.

"Our plan completely transforms the way we build and protect our infrastructure, safeguard our energy supply, prepare our citizens and first responders, and provide fuel and electricity," he said. "I want to thank Vice President Biden for being here today to support our efforts to reimagine New York and for supporting our state throughout the Sandy recovery process."

The state will use its share of federal funds appropriated for storms Sandy, Irene and Lee to implement the plan, which includes the largest reconstruction of the state's transit system in 110 years with $5 billion in federal funds, New York officials said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is undertaking a $5 billion overhaul of New York City’s mass transit systems, the largest reconstruction of the subway system in 110 years. Every facet of the system's infrastructure will be improved to withstand extreme weather. The state will invest in technologies to seal hundreds of subway and tunnel entrances, seal station stairways and increase pump capacity in stations and tunnels and projects to protect bus and train yards and the vital infrastructure that makes them run, New York officials said.

The state also will explore permanent and temporary technologies to seal automobile and subway tunnels and prevent future flooding. Six under-river tubes used by 1 million people daily will be rebuilt.