Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C,I-Newport) today joined nearly 70 assembly members and senators to advocate for better funding of the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), which gives aid to municipalities for maintaining and repairing roads, bridges and other infrastructure. They were joined by town and county highway superintendents and other local officials.
“Rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges is important to our economic development and the lives of each resident, and the state must make a commitment to partnering with our municipalities by increasing CHIPs funding,” said Butler. “Our highway superintendents do the best they can to maintain our local roads and bridges, but the reality is that, with the ever-increasing costs of materials and stagnant funding, it is very tough for them to do their jobs and serve residents. We will be working with legislative leaders and the governor to try to increase local aid during budget negotiations.”
Roads, bridges and other essential infrastructure in the state are in dire need of repair. Nearly a third of bridges are rated deficient, with roughly 40 percent of roads being rated as fair to poor. Upstate New York communities are especially struggling to keep up. Most vehicle traffic occurs on local roads, yet, less than 12 percent of road maintenance fees are returned to localities for important repairs.
Butler said that increasing CHIPs funding will be a priority for him and his colleagues during the budget process. They will be working closely with the governor and legislative leaders on this matter.