As members of the New York State Assembly representing the Hudson Valley, we believe the investment in our roads and bridges by New York state is a leading priority for our region. We are committed to ensuring the local governments we represent have the funding needed to repair and enhance our infrastructure, improve public safety and ease the burden on property taxpayers.
First, it is important to note that the Hudson Valley has the most lane miles and the most bridges of any New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) region, yet we receive only the third most funding. Albany is notoriously bad with math, but this clearly doesn’t add up and has been a chronic problem for decades.
Second, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget included a $100 million cut in the Hudson Valley’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding to repair and maintain our local roads, bridges and culverts.
In the Hudson Valley, our infrastructure crisis is particularly acute. According to a New York State Department of Transportation report, the Hudson Valley’s roads were rated as the worst in New York state, with more than half rated in “fair” or “poor” condition. Similarly, a separate DOT report concluded our region also has the worst bridge conditions in New York state.
Nationally, highway construction costs have increased by 59% since Gov. Hochul took office. That is why it’s so disconcerting that the governor proposed cutting $100 million in road and bridge funding for our region, diminishing our quality of life and creating clear safety concerns.
Statewide, a recent report demonstrated that poor road conditions cost our state’s drivers $8.7 billion each year in extra vehicle ownership costs, including accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair expenses, increased fuel consumption and tire wear. Given the spiraling inflation that has raised consumer prices by more than 20% since Joe Biden took office, poor road conditions are raising costs on Hudson Valley families even more.
Last week, we were joined by dozens of highway superintendents from the Hudson Valley in Fishkill who had a very clear message: cutting CHIPS is a nonstarter. Moreover, we strongly encourage the governor to address the longstanding regional disparity that has denied the Hudson Valley its fair share of state highway and bridge funding and precipitated our existing infrastructure crisis. Both steps are necessary to protect property taxpayers, help our communities deliver safe local roads and ease the financial pressure placed on the local governments we represent. In fact, it is our delegation’s priority to increase the base level for CHIPS by $200 million.
Unfortunately, New York state’s decision to abandon parity between the DOT and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Programs has further impacted New York’s ability to address the crumbling roads in the suburbs and flooded the MTA with additional cash as it continues to raise Metro-North fares and pickpocket hardworking taxpayers and small businesses in the Hudson Valley.
Whether they are maintained by the state or local government, our roads matter. As our constituents’ representatives in the state Legislature, we hear from them every day about the impact the Hudson Valley’s deteriorated infrastructure has on our economy, local budgets and the quality of life enjoyed by Hudson Valley families. They deserve to receive their fair share of state highway and bridge funding and, collectively, we call upon Gov. Hochul to treat our region fairly.
Assemblyman Matt Slater, 94th District
Assemblyman Anil Beephan Jr., 105th District
Assemblyman John McGowan, 97th District
Assemblyman Brian Maher, 101st District
Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, 98th District
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