NORWICH – Getting a federal earmark for New York State Route 12 passed by a Senate subcommittee is 90 percent of the hurdle, said a spokesman for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

But getting the full bill passed after the August recess and then signed by the president is another part of the battle.

Sen. Schumer reported in late July that the Department of Transportation and Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee had approved $500,000 in improvements for the Rt. 12 corridor in Chenango County, specifically for a county Route 32 by-pass around the City of Norwich.

Schumer’s announcement was a surprise to Chenango County Highway Director Randy Gibbon, especially the amount.

“We asked for $20 million for the project,” he said. “We’ve asked before and they’ve said they would try to get it through. A half million dollars will pay for the design only.”