Ms. Fuda had just returned to NYSDOT’s Poughkeepsie office after touring storm ravaged sections of Columbia County. She noted that DOT crews and emergency contractor Paleen Construction of Somers were repairing flash flood damage that temporarily closed a section of Route 9 in Fishkill, Dutchess County.

She said crews were working around the clock and expected remediation efforts to continue for several weeks. “Columbia County really got hit the hardest with the ongoing rain we experienced over the last few days,” she said. Her tour included several closed roadways and the work being undertaken to reopen them.

Discussing the damage along Route 9 in Fishkill, she said, “We have our emergency contractor on site, and they are working as fast as they can to get some lanes open. I think we are going to be looking at alternating traffic starting tomorrow so that we can keep traffic flowing while work on the ditches, drainage, and everything else that needs to be done continues.”

Later that evening, NYSDOT announced that Route 9 had reopened.

The severity of the multi day storm attracted national attention, and Region 8 Director Fuda joined Region 1 (Albany) Director Mike Arthur in discussing storm recovery efforts with The Weather Channel.

Ms. Fuda said that after the rain ended, NYSDOT crews immediately began inspections and safety assessments to reopen impacted roadways as quickly as possible. Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs can take hours, days, or even weeks, she said.

Last November, Ms. Fuda became Regional Director for NYSDOT’s Region 8 after serving as Director of the Structures Design Bureau for NYSDOT in Albany.

Since taking over Region 8, she has observed an increase in severe storm activity.

“I think we are definitely seeing an increase in the intensity and duration of these types of storm events, especially with the rain we experienced over the last few days in northern Columbia County. In some areas, they received upwards of 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, which is unheard of.”

She continued, “We really are pushing the limits of our infrastructure.”

While many roads and bridges in the Hudson Valley have been designed to modern standards that help mitigate damage from major storms, much of the region’s infrastructure is aging and was not built to withstand storms of this intensity or duration.

“That is a challenge, and completing projects that improve the safety and resiliency of our infrastructure is a major focus of our commissioner and governor so that we can preserve both our infrastructure and the beautiful Hudson Valley,” Director Fuda said.

As NYSDOT develops its next five year capital plan, sustainability and flood resiliency remain key priorities, she noted.

Region 8 Director Fuda pointed to one recently completed project as an example of a successful flood mitigation effort: the $25 million project to improve safety and reduce flooding along U.S. Route 6 and State Route 202 at the Annsville Circle in Westchester County.

The project, completed by ECCO III Enterprises Inc. of Yonkers, received honors from AASHTO (the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and the American Society of Civil Engineers Metropolitan Section. Before the improvements, the roadway adjacent to Camp Smith and leading to the Bear Mountain Bridge flooded 10 to 15 times each year.

Ms. Fuda noted that despite the recent heavy rainfall, the Annsville Circle remained flood free and open throughout the storm.

See related story “NYSDOT’s Annsville Circle Project Earns Recognition From Multiple Industry Groups“.