Senator Helming Fights, Alongside Local Highway Superintendents, to Restore Transportation Infrastructure Funding for Local Roads and Bridges

Senator Helming is joining state Highway Superintendents, fighting for critical state funding for local transportation aid to be restored to the governor’s proposed 2024-25 state budget. Included in the governor’s cuts is a $60 million reduction in the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), the state’s primary source of funding for local roads, bridges, and culverts. 

In a letter to the governor, leaders of the Senate and Assembly, and the commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Senator Helming joined more than 50 of her legislative colleagues in calling for the proposed cuts in CHIPS funding to be restored.

Senator Helming says, “Together we are fighting for our fair share of state funding to ensure our local roads are maintained, and potholes are fixed so people can get to and from work, school, shopping, and appointments. Our bridges need to be repaired so emergency vehicles can quickly get to where they need to go. We also must upgrade the culverts to help minimize flooding in our neighborhoods. Our highway workers and superintendents do an incredible job with the tools they have. However, they need the state to step up and support them in their efforts to keep our roads safe. We must send a loud and clear message that this funding needs to be a top priority in the budget.”

Town of Palmyra Highway Superintendent Mike Boesel adds, “Over 600 local highway professionals are in Albany this week requesting a $250 million increase for local highway programs above the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal just to hold our ground.  This is especially significant given that 87% of roads and more than half of the bridges in New York are locally maintained.”

“We are asking the budget committee to look at all options and to provide the funding that is needed for municipalities to keep our roads safe,” said Town of Canandaigua Highway Superintendent Jim Fletcher. “Support our request for keeping the current funds and additional funds to maintain the infrastructure and equipment that is desperately needed.”

“New York State’s diverse and vast infrastructure is integral to job creation, economic development, and the overall quality of life for our citizens,” said Town of Chili Highway Superintendent David Lindsay. “Recent inflationary pressures in construction materials and cost fluctuations from oil results in local governments struggling to adequately maintain these roads and bridges. Funding provided through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) is critical for local governments.”

Livingston County Highway Superintendent Jason Wolfanger says, “Cutting any funding at all within CHIPS with prices, inflation, and added State regulations severely limit the work that we can do. The less we can do the more our already dilapidated roads and bridges deteriorate, jeopardizing the safety of our traveling public.”

According to the latest analysis from TRIP, a national transportation advocacy group, roads, and bridges that are deteriorated, congested, or lack some desirable safety feature cost New York motorists a total of $36.7 billion annually, due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic accidents, and congestion-related delays.

Link to TRIP report:

https://tripnet.org/research-news/?states=new-york

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