Issue Position: Local Roads Matter

Issue Position

Regional counties, cities, towns and villages have received significant increases in state funding for local roads and bridges since 2013.

These increases have arrived after several years of effort and leadership together with Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. We've partnered with local highway superintendents and other local officials from throughout New York over the past several years to lead the fight in the Legislature for fairer and stronger state support for local transportation infrastructure.

Every additional dollar of state support means a dollar less that our local property taxpayers have to pay.

Local roads and bridges account for 87% of the roads, 52% of the bridges, and 48% of the vehicle mileage logged in New York State.

A 2013 study conducted by the town highway superintendents association reported that New York needs to invest an additional $1.3 billion per year on local roads and bridges to prevent them from becoming deficient. An earlier report from the state comptroller called 32% of New York's local bridges deficient and 40% of local roads fair or poor, and getting worse. A national transportation advocacy group, TRIP, has estimated that deteriorating roads cost New York motorists nearly an additional $25 billion annually -- nearly $2,300 for the average driver in some areas -- in lost time, fuel costs, vehicle repairs and other expenses.

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