NYSDOT, MARIST COLLEGE DEDICATE NEW PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

NYSDOT, MARIST COLLEGE DEDICATE NEW PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

New Construction Provides Safe Access for Students, Pedestrians Under Busy Route 9

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald joined Marist College President Dennis Murray　in Poughkeepsie today to dedicate a new pedestrian underpass at Route 9 that has improved safety for those walking to and from the campus.
NYSDOT constructed the underpass in 11 days, completing it on July 14, four days ahead of schedule. Working cooperatively with NYSDOT, Marist College installed lighting and provided landscape improvements to the underpass and its entrances. The underpass, which provides a safe and direct link for students wishing to cross Route 9, has also reduced traffic delays by minimizing vehicle stops for pedestrians. It was opened August 25.
"We are very pleased to join with our partners at Marist College to improve safety for the thousands of pedestrians who cross this busy road every academic year," Commissioner McDonald said. "This project is particularly exciting because it promotes pedestrian safety as well as a smoother, more efficient flow of Route 9 traffic."
Marist College President Dennis Murray said: "This project is a prime example of a private-public partnership that created jobs and a good outcome for our community. Pedestrians will be safer, traffic will flow more smoothly, and the area’s aesthetics have been enhanced. The Marist College community salutes the DOT and the contractors for a superb job. We also appreciate the understanding of those who use Route 9. Short-term disruptions have yielded a long-term benefit for our community."
In addition to the construction of the underpass, NYSDOT changed the traffic configuration at the intersection of Route　9, Fulton Avenue and Marist Main Gate to improve safety. NYSDOT eliminated an all-red traffic signal and adjusted travel lanes on Route 9 to limit access at the main gate of the college to service, delivery and emergency vehicles. Meanwhile, with the underpass now available to walkers, mid-block crosswalks have been removed and the Marist South Gate has been widened and enhanced to encourage its use by all vehicles, rather than using the main gate.
The project cost approximately $4.6 million. Schultz Construction of Ballston Spa was the contractor.
State Senator Steve Saland said: "This new underpass is a win-win, not only for vehicular traffic, but for pedestrian traffic as well. Not only will it result in fewer traffic delays, but it will also dramatically reduce the danger to pedestrians, particularly Marist students who must cross Route 9 regularly."
Assemblyman Joel Miller said: "This beautifully designed pedestrian tunnel provides a far safer and expeditious way for the Marist students to get from one side of Route 9 to the other. It also helps by improving the flow of traffic. This much needed pedestrian pathway is a win-win for everybody."
Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus said: "Dutchess County’s quality of life is better and our economic engine stronger because Dutchess is the host community to Marist College, which has earned a premier national reputation for excellence. Thanks to our Dutchess County Transportation Council, the New York State Department of Transportation and Marist College, the Route 9 crossing will offer pedestrians and motorists a new, improved, safer and more efficient walkway corridor."
Ross J. Pepe, President of Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley, Inc., said: "Congratulations to the Department of Transportation and Marist College for their excellent design and plan to build this important safety enhancement for students and others crossing Route 9. Finishing this project with minimal community and traffic disruption by contractor Shultz Construction Co. is testimony to project sponsors’ quality planning."

Southern Arizona CBP Agents Seize Nearly a Ton of Marijuana Over Weekend

Tucson, AZ. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, seized 1,861 pounds of marijuana worth $1.3 million in two separate incidents during the weekend.

Casa Grande Station agents observed a white Chevrolet Tahoe driving on a dirt road through the desert with its headlights off at approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday. When agents attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle went off-road. By the time agents encountered the Tahoe, the suspects had abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered 59 bundles of marijuana weighing 1,250 pounds and worth an estimated $1 million. The vehicle and narcotics were seized and transported to the Casa Grande Station for processing.

In another incident, Douglas agents responded to a suspicious vehicle west of Douglas Saturday evening. Agents stopped a white pick-up truck driven by a resident of Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, who had illegally entered the United States. After a canine alerted to the vehicle, agents located 131 small bundles of marijuana hidden in the seats and in the cab of the truck. The narcotics had a total weight of 611 pounds and an estimated value of $305,500. The driver was arrested. The vehicle and narcotics were seized and transported to the Douglas Station for processing. (Photos available)

Increased infrastructure, manpower and technology, combined with a robust consequence delivery system, continue to pressure transnational criminal organizations. Smugglers commonly abandon their drug loads rather than risk apprehension and prosecution. Agents remain dedicated to detecting smuggling attempts and preventing illegal drugs from entering our country.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and their Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, under a unified command structure. JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona or visit the attach link for more information. ( Arizona )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Officers Find 36 Pounds Of Cocaine

 In Vehicle Bumper And Glove Box At Southern California Port



Calexico, CA. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry discovered 36 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a brown 2001 Maroon Saturn.

The seizure occurred on Sunday, October 16, at about 10:15 p.m. when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred the driver, a 19-year-old female Mexican citizen, for further examination.

An intensive inspection that included a canine screening led officers to the discovery of two wrapped packages of the narcotic concealed inside the dashboard behind the glove box. An additional 12 packages were discovered in the rear bumper of the vehicle. All packages combined have a street value of approximately $324,000.

The driver, a resident of Brawley, California, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who in turn transported the violator to the Imperial County Jail where she currently awaits arraignment.

CBP placed an immigration hold on the Mexican citizen to initiate removal from the United States at the conclusion of her criminal proceeding.

CBP seized the narcotic and vehicle.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

TPC Update: Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks

 

20 OCT 11 

(All Times Eastern)

0800 -  Maritime Partnerships: Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at the International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

New Recovery Act-Funded Land Port of Entry Open at Noonan, N.D.

Facility Replaced Outdated Facility, Enhances Border Security and Better Serves Traveling Public



Noonan, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced the opening of a new land border port of entry in Noonan, N.D. The new facility, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help strengthen security along the Northern border while facilitating the flow of legal travel and trade.

“The Noonan port facility will enhance our mission to secure our borders,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner for Administration Eugene H. Schied. “The updated infrastructure and technologies of this facility provide more secure, efficient, and expedited processing for travelers crossing our Northern border.”

CBP is using Recovery Act funds to modernize more than 35 land ports of entry along the Northern border to meet security and operational needs. The new facility in Noonan supports current inspection requirements and will be adaptable for CBP’s future border security and trade facilitation needs.

The Department of Homeland Security continues to invest additional personnel and technology along the Northern border–deploying more than 2,200 Border Patrol agents and nearly 3,800 CBP officers throughout the region to manage the flow of people and goods through ports of entry and designated border crossings.

CBP continues to deploy state-of-the-art technology along the Northern border, including thermal camera systems, Mobile Surveillance Systems, and Remote Video Surveillance Systems. Additionally, CBP unmanned aircraft currently patrol nearly 950 miles along the Northern border from Washington to Minnesota, and approximately 200 miles along the northern border in New York and Lake Ontario.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Fully Paid For As Part Of The President's Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan

Fully Paid For As Part Of The President's Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan

To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President has called on the Joint Congressional Committee to achieve additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how the Committee can achieve the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy and pay for his plan to put Americans back to work.

Tax Relief For Every American Worker And Family

Cutting payroll taxes in half for 160 million workers next year: The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last year to cut workers payroll taxes in half in 2012 – providing a $1,500 tax cut to the typical American family, without negatively impacting the Social Security Trust Fund.

Allowing more Americans to refinance their mortgages at today’s near 4 percent interest rates, which can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket.