Local Road and Bridge Funding Crisis Draws 600 County & Town Highway Officials & Advocates to State Capital

The New York State County Highway Superintendents Association (NYSCHSA) and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH).

 2015 Local Roads & Bridges Grassroots Campaign

Six hundred county and town highway superintendents, public works commissioners and other highway industry professionals are expected to swarm the halls of the Capitol and Legislative Office Building in Albany March 3rd & 4th to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to make the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges a top priority in the state budget.

The New York State County Highway Superintendents Association (NYSCHSA) and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH) say local governments need a minimum increase in funding for the Consolidate Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) of $200 million to $638 million per year. They are also calling for the establishment of a multi-year state aid to local road, bridge and culvert program funded by a portion of the foreign bank settlement funds or from other available sources.

Studies show that spending to keep New York’s local roads, bridges and culverts in good condition falls short by $1.3 billion annually. Incredibly, the Governor’s Executive Budget includes no increased funding for CHIPS and provides no details on how funding would be distributed or how bridge projects would be chosen under a proposed state/local bridge program.

Rising costs and dwindling funding from other sources means local highway departments are losing the preservation battle. Making matters worse, federal transportation aid to New York (MAP-21) is primarily directed to the National Highway System, resulting in even less funding flowing to the local systems as has been available in the past.

The groups’ local road and bridge campaign is called, “Local Roads Matter!” Local roads are a crucial part of the State’s infrastructure. Motorists use local roads and bridges for as much as half of all their travel in New York State.

Local Roads Matter! The maintenance, repair and strategic replacement of existing transportation infrastructure are required for safety, mobility and for the State to remain economically competitive. Providing the much-needed funds for local roads and bridges also sustains jobs—both public and private in highway related industries and professions.

Information about the event and legislative materials may be downloaded from www.localroadsmatter.com

CONTACT: For more information about the Grass Roots Advocacy Campaign, contact NYSAOTSOH Communications Director, Megan Osika by phone (518-426-1023) or email (info@nystownhwys.org) or contact NYSCHSA Communications Director, Joseph Van De Loo by phone (518-465-1694) or email (info@countyhwys.org).