Senator Lavalle Announces State Highway Aid for Local Municipalities

Senator LaValle today announced that local road projects within the First Senate District will benefit from more than $5.5 million in 2010 Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funds. 

The CHIPS program was established by the Legislature in 1981 to assist localities in financing construction, reconstruction, or improvement of local highways, bridges, highway-railroad crossings, and/or other local facilities.  Municipalities are responsible for selecting projects and, for eligibility, must certify that the project is expected to have a useful service life of at least ten years. 

Senator LaValle noted that CHIPS funding for local road projects within the First Senate District was approved in the Towns of Brookhaven, East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold, and the Villages of  Belle Terre, Dering Harbor, East Hampton, Greenport, North Haven, Port Jefferson, Quogue, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Shoreham, Southampton, Westhampton Beach, and Westhampton Dunes.

“This critically important state funding helps the county, towns, and villages improve, repair, and maintain our local roads,” Senator LaValle said.  “I am pleased that CHIPS dollars will enable localities to move forward with important road improvement projects without placing additional pressure on local property taxes."