Griffo: Use federal funds to fix crumbling infrastructure

Following a recent meeting between New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo’s staff and area highway superintendents, Sen. Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, is urging a robust spending approach to addressing crumbling, deteriorating and deficient infrastructure throughout the state. 

Numerous studies over the past decade have highlighted the decline of New York’s locally maintained transportation infrastructure and its impact on economic development, local property taxes and motorist safety.  

According to a recent report by the American Society of Engineers, 27% of New York’s roads are poor condition, 9.9% of bridges are rated structurally deficient and 424 dams are considered to be high-hazard potential. An estimated $22.8 billion is necessary to address drinking water needs in the state, while an estimated $31.4 billion is needed to address wasterwater concerns. 

TRIP, a national transportation advocacy group, indicates that the deteriorated condition of New York’s roads and bridges cost motorists in the state $7.7 billion a year - $632 per driver – in the form of additional repairs, accelerated vehicle depreciation, increased fuel consumption and tire wear. 

To address these concerns, the 2022-23 Executive Budget proposes to increase funding for local roads, bridges and culverts by 20 percent. The budget also calls for the continuation of valuable programs such as the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR) and PAVE-NY, which Sen. Griffo has long advocated. However, the proposed budget holds funding for these programs flat. 

Sen. Griffo believes, especially with New York State receiving $170 billion in funding as part of a federal infrastructure bill, that a more aggressive plan can be undertaken by the state to address its infrastructure needs. 

“Safe and reliable infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for future economic development, job creation and community growth,” Sen. Griffo said. “With such a significant infusion of funds from the federal government, New York State should not be holding the line when it comes to making critical investments to our roads, bridges, dams, culverts and underground utilities. This additional funding should be used to supplement, strengthen and support the programs already offered by the state. We have the money. Let’s use it to invest in and fix our ailing infrastructure and transportation systems.” 

“The Executive Budget continues to invest in important local transportation infrastructure programs; and with the infusion of additional federal transportation dollars, New York can properly address our aging infrastructure," said Andrew P. Avery, P.E., President of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association. "NYSCHSA is pleased to see the Senate and Assembly supporting increases above those proposed by the Executive for local programs like CHIPS, Extreme Winter Recovery and State Touring Routes as a way to better address the needs and conditions of our aging and ailing transportation system. We appreciate the support of Senator Griffo and his colleagues for these increased investments by making local roads and bridges a priority in this year’s budget." 

  “Local governments depend on these state programs (CHIPS, EWR & PAVE-NY) to keep local roadways maintained,” said Sal Granato, Whitestown Highway Superintendent. “By adding funding to these programs, we would be able to keep our roads safe for the traveling public. Doing this will also keep jobs local.” 

"It is imperative that communities have the resources that they need to address problems with infrastructure,” said Richard Sherman, Town of New Hartford Highway Superintendent. “I appreciate Sen. Griffo’s continued efforts to ensure that we get the funding we need to make sure our roads, bridges and other infrastructure are in a safe and reliable condition for years to come.” 

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