NEWFANE, N.Y. (WBEN) - Construction has begun on a $14 million resiliency project in the Town of Newfane, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.
Olcott Harbor is on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and includes the Town of Newfane Marina, Olcott Yacht Club, Hedley Boat Company, McDonough Marine, and several private homes. In recent years, most recently in 2019, the area was devastated by flooding caused by the lake.
The project looks to mitigate the negative impacts of extreme weather conditions on the harbor entrance. An offshore oval will be installed along with a rubble-mound breakwall that is 350 feet in length.
"After historic flooding devastated homes, businesses and infrastructure along Lake Ontario in 2019, New York has been leading the way to provide much-needed help to these communities," Governor Cuomo said in a statement. "Through REDI, we are not just rebuilding the shoreline's infrastructure, we are building back stronger and smarter for a more resilient future, and that's exactly what we're doing with this project in the Town of Newfane."
