Area Highway Superintendents and Officials Meet @ Cornwall Highway Department and Detail the ABC's of their Needs
Every year one of the most urgent needs for New York highway crews is the "CHIPS", along with other funding that the Governor alots in the State Budget for the materials towns need to complete their lists of necessary road repair. Like everything else, inflation causes these basic materials (asphalt, gravel, salt, etc.) to increase in price. Without the adequate funding each town must redo their budget and eliminate some needed work, or else put it on the backs of resident taxpayers. Last year the State contribution fell short, and this year the NY Association of Highway is being proactive, having area Superintendents and Officials assemble and advocate strongly for adequate financial support for this year's CHIPS and other transportation funding.
Further aggravating local highway challenges are a number of issues -Federal Climate Council Scoping Plans require significant changes to highway garages, equipment, vehicles and even materials, plus new freshwater wetland permits. There are also Electric Vehicle mandates for medium and heavy-duty trucks plus their necessary charging infrastructure. These new needs will all have to be addressed, and within the context of additional extreme weather events. Meanwhile nearly 87% of new federal infrastructure funding will NOT be available for upkeep of local roads.
The Superintendents' Association and its members are requesting that Statewode CHIPS, EWR and STR be increased to $1,088.1 billion.
Considering the economic and social benefits of transportation in direct hiring, travel to and from work, local pavement travel, the safety necessity of repairs to local bridges and tunnels, delivery of goods, just to mention a few, the work of these highway departments is essential for the annual infrastructure recovery of the entire state.
Requested Changes in Authorized Highway Budget
(Thanks to Senator Skoufis and Blooming Grove Highway Superintendent Wayne Kirkpatrick for supplying the information and pictures)
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