FONDA — About half of the state's Department of Transportation budget for Region 2 is being spent in Montgomery County this year, according to Regional Director Michael Shamma.

Shamma and other DOT employees, along with county Public Works Commissioner Paul Clayburn, discussed the state of the county's infrastructure this morning during the second annual Infrastructure Business Breakfast, sponsored by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at the Winner's Circle restaurant.

Half of Region 2's budget is dedicated to the $1.2 million Route 10 bridge reconstruction project in Canajoharie and the $9.8 million Route 30 reconstruction project in the town of Amsterdam. Both projects have already started and are scheduled for completion in 2009.

Business owners were particularly interested in the recently announced project to rebuild the Route 30A bridge over the CSX railroad tracks in Fonda. The bridge will now be built to the east of the current bridge, instead of the west, as originally planned. The move would mean the probable loss of Antoinette's Cafe, a 13-year staple in the village, along with the disruption of various other businesses along the western edge of Route 30A, including the Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Executive Director Deborah Auspelmyer said it is important for chamber members to have the opportunity to hear about important events from reliable sources, which is why the chamber continues to hold business breakfast meetings on topics such as education and infrastructure.

"This gives business owners a chance to network, hear about what's going on from local and state officials and ask questions," she said.