Legislators, advocacy groups highlight need for aid to local roads
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators and Assembly members to call on the governor and Department of Transportation (DOT) to allocate greater funding through the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) directly to municipalities to improve local roads. Lupinacci was joined by officials from the NYS County Highway Superintendents Association (NYSCHSA), NYS Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH), NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC), New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the Association of Towns of the State of New York.
“Long Island families pay among the highest taxes in the nation and yet we still continue to experience crumbling roads and bridges,” said Lupiancci. “Giving our local communities greater CHIPS funding isn’t just to make them aesthetically pleasing, but it also reinvigorates our local economy, creates new jobs and makes our communities safer for all. In addition, high-quality roads and bridges allow us to promote economic development to new businesses and encourage already-existing businesses to reinvest in our communities.”
One advocate for greater CHIPS funding is the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director for NYSAC said, “Increased CHIPS funding is one of the best investments we can make in New York. It will help stimulate the economy by creating new jobs, shore up our critical local highway infrastructure that is used for transporting kids to school, parents to work and home, and goods to retailers and manufacturing facilities across the state. Crumbling roads and bridges reflects neglect, while an increased investment into our local infrastructure reflects a strong commitment to a more prosperous future.”
According to a recent report from the state comptroller’s office, 32 percent of bridges are deficient and 40 percent of roads are rated fair or poor and getting worse in New York State. Forty-eight percent of vehicle travel in the state takes place on local roads, yet less than 12 percent of road maintenance fees go to local upkeep.
“Increasing our funding for local roads reaffirms our commitment to the safety and prosperity of our communities and residents. I hope that the governor and our legislative leaders will take this into account as we continue to discuss the upcoming state budget,” concluded Lupinacci.
