Lawmakers Announce Massive Funding Increase for Nassau County Roads

Record-breaking funding was negotiated as part of the recently enacted New York State Budget

Left to Right: Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, NYS Senator Anna M. Kaplan, NYS Senator Kevin Thomas, NYS Senator Jim Gaughran, NYS Senator Tim Kennedy. Download hi-res here. Photo credit: Office of Senator Anna Kaplan

WESTBURY, NY (May 28, 2021) - New York State Senators Anna M. Kaplan, Tim Kennedy, Jim Gaughran, Kevin Thomas, and Todd Kaminsky joined Nassau County Executive Laura Curran today to announce a $34.1 million dollar investment in road repaving in Nassau County that was negotiated as part of the recently enacted State Budget. The funding will allow Nassau County, as well as Nassau's towns and villages, to fund more road repaving projects throughout the county, improving driving conditions and safety for motorists and pedestrians. The funding represents a 31% increase over funding in last year's State Budget, and is the first increase in CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) funding in 8 years.

Senator Anna M. Kaplan said "After the rough winter we had this year, our roads are in need of some TLC, but thanks to the record-breaking new funding in the State Budget for road repaving projects, help is on the way to Nassau County! The money we fought to bring home is going to go a long way to make our roads smoother and safer, and we're going to create lots of good paying jobs for hard working Long Islanders in the process. I applaud our Senate Transportation Committee Chair Senator Tim Kennedy for leading the charge to increase investments in our infrastructure statewide, and I thank my Senate colleagues and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran for partnering with me in the fight for Long Island to get its fair share of these critical resources."

"As New York looks to Build Back Better, it is critical that we invest in the infrastructure that ties our communities together," said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Timothy Kennedy. "The Senate Democratic Conference pushed hard to deliver increased road funding after nearly a decade of flat funding levels, which will give our local governments the resources they need to ensure our economic recovery continues. I want to thank my Senate colleagues from Nassau County who fought tooth and nail for this badly-needed increase in funding."

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said "Thank you to Senator Kaplan, Senator Kennedy and the entire Senate Majority for securing a record amount of local roads funding for Nassau County. Infrastructure investments and construction projects are crucial to reviving our economy, getting people back to work and ensuring safe reliable roadways."

Senator Jim Gaughran said "Most of us share the exasperation driving throughout Long Island's deteriorating roadways riddled with pothole after pothole. That's why I'm so thrilled to have helped secure a record investment in Long Island's roadways in this year's State budget, to return taxpayers dollars back to Long Island exactly where it is needed most -- our crumbling roadways." 

Senator Kevin Thomas said, “I am proud to have worked alongside my fellow Senators to secure record funding to support our transportation and infrastructure here on Long Island. This investment will ensure our local governments have the resources they need to keep our roads safe and reliable.”

Senator Todd Kaminsky said "Long Islanders deserve well-paved streets and a smooth drive. I was proud to secure record funding in this year’s state budget to repair our roads and keep them in first-rate condition. Importantly, the more infrastructure funding we secure from Albany, the less local taxpayers are called upon to shoulder the burden."

Senator John Brooks said "I am proud to have worked with Senator Kaplan and my Long Island colleagues in the NYS Senate to bring this much needed funding for our crumbling infrastructure. These roads are in dire shape and are desperately in need of repair. Thanks to a lot of hard work during this year’s budget process Long Island’s roadways will see the renewal we all deserve. This is how we build back better.” 

The record high investment in Nassau's local roads is allocated through the following State funded programs:

• CHIPS Local Highway Aid Program: $23,308,936.11 in funding for local roads and bridges through the CHIPS program, a 23.45% increase from the prior year, and the first increase in 8 years
• PAVE NY Local Highway Aid Program: $6,469,793.24 in funding for local roads through the PAVE NY program, a 50.12% increase from the prior year
• Extreme Winter Recovery: $4,413,015.99 in funding for local roads and bridges through the EWR program, a 53.85% increase from the prior year

Funding levels for this year will serve as a baseline for negotiations in next year's budget, ensuring that Long Island will continue to see this high level of investment going forward.