Issues: Transportation

Albany, N.Y., March 25—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R-C, Corning) said today that area counties will see significant increases in state support for local roads and bridges under the 2013-14 New York State budget being enacted this week.

A breakdown of county figures as a result of this year’s state-level increase of $75 million for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) was released by Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders earlier today at the Capitol [to see the full breakdown for counties, towns and villages, go to http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CHIPS-Funding-Breakdown.pdf.]

          State Senator Betty Little said the new state budget will provide a big financial boost for repairing local roads and bridges.  Funding will increase $75 million for CHIPS, which stands for Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program.  CHIPS funding has remained flat the past five years.  The increase brings CHIPS funding for the 2013-14 fiscal year to a little more than $438 million.

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2013

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that construction will begin next month on a project to replace four bridge decks on Interstate 490 in Monroe County. The work is part of a $13.8 million contract funded through the NY Works program. The project meets the goals of Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative to ensure that construction causes the least impact to motorists.

The bridges carry eastbound and westbound I-490 over Chili Center Coldwater Road (Route 386) in Chili and eastbound and westbound I-490 over Route 204 (Airport Expressway) in Gates.

Albany, N.Y., March 21—Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R-C, Corning), who in early March joined county and town highway superintendents and other local leaders from across New York to call for increased state support for local roads and bridges, applauded today’s announcement that the final 2013-14 state budget will include a $75 million increase in funding for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS).

CHIPS provides the bulk of state aid to counties and towns for the maintenance and improvement of local roads and bridges. 

Bill Named After Amherst Teen Would Close Dangerous Loophole In Hit-And-Run Accidents

ALBANY - The New York State Senate Transportation Committee passed “Alix’s Law” (S.1698A) today, sponsored by Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma). The bill would close a legal loophole and hold intoxicated drivers accountable for leaving the scene of an accident. 

New York, NY— Earlier this year, New York State Assembly Member Deborah Glick introduced legislation (A4327) to establish a demonstration program to enforce maximum speed limits by means of speed limit photo devices, or “speed cameras,” in New York City.  It has been reported that New York State Senator Andrew Lanza will be introducing companion legislation in the Senate. Speed cameras have been credited with reducing speeding and crash rates in cities throughout the nation, including a 40% reduction in collisions in Paradise Valley, AZ.  Police in Washington D.C. reported a 56% reduction in traffic fatalities after speed cameras were installed.