Watkins Glen, N.Y. (WENY) - There is a massive transportation and accessibility project underway in Schuyler county.

It was a cold and snowy spring day in Watkins Glen on Friday.  However, that did not stop state and local officials from making a big announcement. 

"We are here today to announce our plans to further revitalize downtown Watkins Glen and the surrounding areas," said New York State Department of Transportation, Chief of Staff, Todd Westhuis. 

The New York State Department of Transportation originally came up with the idea to just focus on new pavement and sidewalks. However, that idea quickly turned into a major project after hearing the community's needs. 

"We're going to be upgrading a lot of facilities to make sure we are accommodating the disabled and everybody who uses downtown business districts like this. You're going to see new pavers that are delineating the historic area, as well as, really a celebration of again the racing history. We are going to be putting plaques in the sidewalk to kind of take people through the history of racing in this area," said Westhuis. 

The Village of Watkins Glen has not seen a significant project like this in over twenty years.

"Its something that we in D.O.T feel very strongly about, is working with the community to reflect those community's needs as part of the planning process. Again, bundling a lot of different grant money, project money that D.O.T had, money that was brought to the region by the Governor. That is what put this project together, a 7.8 million dollar effort here to really revitalize and really change the look, the feel of the downtown area," said Westhuis. 

From now, until next June, there will be on-going work happening here in downtown Watkins Glen. However, there will be a break during the summer to make sure the business district is still open for tourism. 

"We've been working directly with a contractor and working out any issues that we come up with. The village has been wonderful in working with us, as well as the contractor. So, its going to be a good project," said New York State Department of Transportation, Engineer, Susan Cook. 

The project plans to be finished by June of 2019.