NORWICH – New York’s quagmire of regulations has $39 million in federal funds earmarked for Route 12 improvements all tied up in knots. And, according to state transportation officials, tackling those projects finally identified after a nine-year long study will require even more money from Washington.

That’s what Chenango County’s business and government leaders learned last week at a New York State Department of Transportation public hearing on a number of targeted Rt. 12 projects. All aim to enhance safety, speed up travel time and spur development along the heavily traveled, windy, two-lane main transportation corridor from Binghamton to Utica.

While DOT officials attempted to explain the intricate system of regulations that control funding designations and project scheduling, most in the auditorium at the Gibson School left shaking their heads.

“The federal guys say they already gave us money, you guys say we need more money. We go back and forth. I understand your situation, but tell me what to do. Who do you want me to call? How do we get what we need?” asked Unison Industries’ Gary Cummings.

The frustrated executive was part of a Chenango County Chamber of Commerce Route 12 Task Force started back in 1999. The group, which included representatives from Broome, Chenango, Madison, Oneida and the NYSDOT, retained a consultant to study short-term, Phase I projects, and later, long-term Phase II projects.

A Phase I project for the roadway between Chenango Bridge and Kattelville in Broome County was let to bid just last week. None, however, are projected to be completed for Chenango County until at least 2014, and then only with additional funding.

“I don’t know if burned out is the word,” said Cummings. “I’ve been coming to meetings for nine years. I just want it (Rt. 12) so we can pass and we can turn and we can be safe.”

Many of the Town of Norwich-based aerospace industry manufacturer’s 300 employees hail from the Binghamton and Syracuse areas. Because the plant is located directly on Rt. 12 (as is Chenango’s largest employer, the Raymond Corporation in Greene), employees must travel the route with its limited passing opportunities and growing congestion.

“We’ve had employees killed on Rt. 12,” said Cummings.

Unison was the gathering place for a press conference on Rt. 12 that was hosted by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-Binghamton, last year. The Senator gave the NYSDOT an “F” for not spending the federal earmarks.

Five DOT officials were on hand to answer Cummings and other attendees’ questions and concerns. They presented the findings of the longer-term Phase II study (the Phase I public hearing was held previously) that included a four-lane interstate from Binghamton to Utica as well as a dozen other possible improvements.

While the interstate option would save 30 minutes of travel time from Binghamton to Utica, it was ruled out by a nearly $1 billion cost estimate. “Comparing any (economic) benefit to that cost just didn’t cut it,” Fitzgerald said.

Only a bypass on county Rt. 32 around the City of Norwich was deemed worthy based on a project cost to economic benefit ratio developed by the DOT. Motorists would take the Halfway House Bridge to county Rt. 32 to state Rt. 12 in North Norwich or visa versa. Wider intersections and a few spot repairs would save commuters and truckers approximately 5 minutes per vehicle and cost $14 million, the study found.

“A lot has been done on 32 already. It would represent a pretty good economic benefit,” said Fitzgerald.

The DOT officials said they were “cautiously optimistic” about completing a project that would improve a 4-mile section and traffic access to Raymond Corporation in Greene. With both the Greene and Broome County improvements, traffic flow in Norwich “should improve,” said NYSDOT Programming and Design Manager Pam Eshbaugh.

The study also identified six, three-lane segments in Chenango County and several passing lanes that could be implemented, but found low population and little economic benefit to them. Instead of combining the segments and passing lanes into the program already funded with federal earmarks, Fitzgerald said it “would make more sense” to implement those improvements locally.

“It’s the department’s hope that more federal dollars can be made available for specific passing lanes that can be identified by the task force,” said Project Developer John Fitzgerald.