Senate Bill S2018

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S2018

SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to establishing minimum
maintenance roads in the town of Montague, Lewis county

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::

This bill authorizes the Town of Montague in Lewis County to designate
certain town roads as low-volume roads and certain low-volume roads as
minimum maintenance roads.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1: Amends chapter 690 of the laws of 2023 to include Montague,
New York as a "designated town".

Section 2: Sets the effective date:

 
              

JUSTIFICATION::

In 1990, the NYS Local Roads Research and Coordination Council was
established. The Council defined standards for low-volume road classi-
fication. The purpose in designating low-volume roads is to reduce costs
associated with bringing such roads to state or national design stand-
ards. Towns have been adopting local laws designating roads as low-vo-
lume according to the Council's standards.

Last year, the Legislature passed a landmark bill allowing the town of
Lorraine to designate certain roads as minimum maintenance. This will
bring increased costs savings for the town, which will not have to plow
and maintain roads with low traffic. Other towns, such as Montague, now
wish to replicate the Lorraine model for their roadways. This will bring
increased savings to Montague and allow for tax dollars to be spent more
efficiently.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

A8583/S8100 (2024): Referred to Transportation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::

Savings for town of Montague taxpayers.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

Immediately