(Syracuse, NY) Mayor Stephanie A. Miner today submitted testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) as part of a hearing on federal funding for infrastructure aid to states and municipalities. In her testimony, she highlighted the ongoing infrastructure challenges facing the City of Syracuse.
“Syracuse is facing an infrastructure crisis,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “Whether it is our record setting pace of water main breaks, the unprecedented severity of our potholes, or our inability to fund enough road reconstruction annually, the City of Syracuse is in need of assistance from our state and federal partners to address this.”
2014 has brought levels of infrastructure need never before seen. As the Mayor highlighted in her testimony, the City of Syracuse has seen 155 water main breaks since January 1, a record setting pace. Additionally, the Department of Public Works, which repairs potholes on a complaint-driven system, has seen a higher rate of pothole reports than in previous years. The City of Syracuse also requires approximately $5.5 million in road reconstruction annually but, since 2007, has only budgeted for $2-3 million.
Mayor Miner added: “The most fundamental responsibility of local government is to provide good infrastructure. This is a critical mission for supporting enterprise, growing our economy, and improving neighborhoods. If we cannot deliver clean water or provide good-quality roads, not much else we do will matter.
The Senate EPW committee held a hearing this morning about continued funding of the Moving America Forward for the 21st Century (MAP-21) program. Through its subsidiary, the Surface Transportation Program (STP), the City of Syracuse receives approximately $4 million for infrastructure annually.
In December, Mayor Miner wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo requesting $16.4 million in emergency capital funds from New York State to address infrastructure needs.
