SLATER FINDS MILLIONS IN ROAD FUNDING MISSING FROM DOT SPENDING PLAN

REGION’S ANNUAL PAVING MAINTENANCE AND FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN FUNDING YET TO BE DELIVERED

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown) has sent a letter to Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), to call attention to a glaring funding discrepancy.  

In September, Slater requested an update on the annual paving maintenance and delivery schedule for the Hudson Valley Region. Of the $195 million budget, only $14.9 million, or 7%, has been delivered. 

In addition, Slater has raised similar concerns regarding DOT’s Five-Year Capital Plan, which, according to reports, shows a $701.3 million shortfall. DOT provided a list of specific projects the agency has completed in the region since the start of the current Five-Year Capital Plan, as well as those it anticipates finishing before the plan expires. According to the agency, DOT will spend only $815 million on core projects across the life of the plan.

“The May 10, 2022, Five-Year Transportation Capital Plan Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) calls for the Department to deliver $1.6 billion in capital spending in the Hudson Valley. Even by adding the $121 million in paving for Region 8 that Governor Hochul announced on October 22, that still leaves the Hudson Valley underfunded in highway capital spending by $701.3 million (or 42.8% short),” Slater wrote in his letter. 

When including the $1 billion for Route 17 that Region 8 received through the MOU, the Hudson Valley will have lost a combined $1.7 billion (or 63%) of the funds appropriated for the region’s core and signature projects.

“We have the most bridges and lane miles of pavement of any region in the state, and we also have the poorest bridge and pavement conditions relative to the rest of the state. It is clear our region is being severely shortchanged on critical funding that will improve our roads, quality of life and public safety,” Slater said. “I hear the most from my constituents complaining about our state roads, and it is inexcusable for allocated dollars not to be spent.” 

Slater, a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, emphasized the need for DOT to formulate a plan that fully funds the projects outlined for Region 8. He said he looks forward to working with the Department to ensure the region’s transportation infrastructure needs are met.