State Budget To Fund Local Highway Improvements

ALBANY, 03/25/13 – As the 2013-14 state budget is finalized, Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) announced today that  local counties will receive a substantial increase in funding to support highway improvements.

“After meeting with county and town highway superintendents from throughout my district it was clear that the state needed to boost funding available through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Plan (CHIPs),” said Senator Seward.  “I fought hard for new money during the state budget negotiations and was successful in securing an additional $75 million in CHIPs funding – the first CHIPs increase in five years.”

The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) was established by the legislature in 1981. The funds go directly to local governments to support repairs to the highways, bridges, and roads that they operate and maintain.

Funding in the nine counties represented by Senator Seward will increase on average by 23.6 percent.

“The state budget will also build a foundation for future needs through a new $3.7 billion two year transportation capital program.  As the details of this program are being developed, rest assured, I will be advocating strongly for  upstate needs and our share of that money.

“Ensuring our upstate roads receive the focus and funding necessary to make key upgrades is crucial to ensuring safety and economic vitality.  I will continue to advocate for additional measures that will help maintain and improve our roads at a cost taxpayers can afford,” Seward concluded.

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