Winner: Support Transportation Bond Act

Elmira, N.Y.-- State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Hammondsport) todayreminded area voters to supportthis year’s proposed $2.9-billion "Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act," calling it a "linchpin of future road and bridge safety, and economic development throughout our region."

New York’s voters will decide the fate of the bond act, approved by state legislators and Governor George Pataki as part of the 2005-06 state budget,when it appears on the November 8th general election ballot. Winner called the act a central component of the state’s five-year, $35.8-billion transportation capital plan to maintain and improve multiple elements of New York’s infrastructure, including local highways and bridges, airports, canals and mass transit.

"This year’s Transportation Bond Act is essential to the future of economic development, motorist safety and energy efficiency in the Southern Tier-Finger Lakes region and across New York State," said Winner. "I hope that area voters will give it their full support. It’s a timely and worthwhile investment."

Winner cited several key reasons for his support:

-- Motorist safety. Vehicle travel in New York increased by 26 percent from 1990 to 2003, and is expected to increase another 40 percent by the year 2025. With more and more motorists on the state’s roadways, Winner said, the need for well-maintained and well-monitored highways and bridges becomes increasingly imperative to safe travel;

-- Economic development. Winner said that projects funded by the bond act will create jobs and other economic opportunities, as well as help achieve the kind of quality transportation system that businesses increasingly look for in making decisions to expand or locate to a particular region; and

-- Energy efficiency. According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 spent on road improvements results in $5.40 in benefits in improved traffic safety, reduced travel delays and reduced vehicle operating costs. Winner said that the mass transit improvements included in the bond act would improve the efficiency of the state’s transportation infrastructure and further reduce New York’s reliance on high-priced energy for the transportation of people, goods and services.