ALBANY, NY (03/05/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State County Highway Superintendents Association, Inc. (NYSCHSA) and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc. (NYSAOTSOH) launched their annual Local Roads Matter! campaign to garner legislative and public support for increased and equitable funding for New York’s local road and bridge infrastructure. More than 450 county and town superintendents, commissioners and highway industry professionals rallied in Albany today for a Local Roads and Bridges Grass Roots Campaign. Members of both organizations spent two days meeting with state lawmakers.

The members of both associations recognized the ongoing efforts of state lawmakers to address the capital funding needs of local roads and bridges. “They are genuinely concerned about our issues and support maintaining a safe and viable local road and bridge system for New York,” stated Tim E. Spring, NYSAOTSOH President and Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County. “Unfortunately, inflation over just the last five years has stripped away the purchasing power of our funding by about 20%. For every million dollars allocated by the state for local roads, we are losing $200 thousand to rising prices. Skyrocketing petroleum costs impact not only diesel fuel, but the prices for asphalt, steel, and heavy equipment.”

NYSCHSA President James Brady, County Highway Superintendent in Wayne County said, “We’re concerned that the financial infrastructure for highways is in crisis. The Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF) currently carries the responsibility of nearly $750 million of non-capital expenditures in addition to the capital highway expenditures the fund was created to support. Unless these are removed in the near future, the fund faces a huge deficit.

“While the needs of the state transportation system appear to be met by the appropriation levels in the five-year Capital Plan, we must similarly provide the funding necessary to address the dire condition of our local systems, which make up 87 percent of the state's roadways and 52 percent of its bridges,” Brady continued. “To address the critical condition of this local transportation infrastructure, we are urging Governor Spitzer and the NYS Legislature to include, as part of the 2008-2009 State Budget, the following program enhancements:

• An increase of at least $64 Million in base CHIPs capital authorization spread equally over the remaining 2 years of the existing 5 year capital plan — at least $32 million for 2008-09 based upon the current structure;

• Increasing Marchiselli Aid for all phases of Federal Aid projects including planning and design to take full advantage of the availability of federal funding for many qualifying projects which otherwise go unfunded;

• Restore the fiscal integrity of the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF) by phasing-out the responsibility of nearly $750 million of non-capital expenditures from the trust fund; and

• Provide additional resources to address the critical needs of local bridges.”

Local roads are a crucial part of the State’s infrastructure. Providing the much-needed additional funds for local roads and bridges also sustains local jobs – both public and private - in highway-related industries and professions. While investments in I-86, the Peace Bridge and other projects have been proposed to stimulate the economy, there is a need for the development and maintenance of local roads which branch beyond these points. Most New York families live on local roads. Manufacturing plants, office buildings and warehouses are located on local roads. Schools, hospitals, police stations and fire stations are on local roads. New York’s economic and social life moves over local roads as much as state roads and interstate highways.

The mission of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association, Inc. is to provide opportunities for professional development to its members while, as a unified voice, working to:

• provide information to the membership to aid in the operation of the highway departments;

• inform New York State lawmakers of county positions on proposed legislation involving highways and public works; and

• sponsor and promote the transfer of technology and information.

The mission of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc. is to:

• act as a medium of instruction in highway construction and maintenance;

• ensure better and safer highways;

• provide efficient public service;

• realize economies, through exchange of ideas, cooperation, and coordination;

• promote and support legislation that will benefit the best interest of the people in the towns;

• promote the principle of Home-Rule; and

• defend the town form of government.

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Posted Wednesday March 05, 2008 at 10:58 am by NYS County Highway Superintendents Association, Inc.