ALBANY, 04/08/16 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced that crucial funding to support local highway improvements is included in the 2016-17 state budget.

“Local roads, bridges, and culverts are the backbone of our state’s infrastructure,” said Senator Seward.  “County and town highway superintendents from throughout my district joined me in Albany last month at a rally calling for fair funding for our local roads and bridges – and their voices were heard.”

The 2016-17 state budget includes $438 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) funding to help local governments with highway, road, and bridge repair projects that are local priorities.

“The budget also meets one of my top priorities – upstate parity.  When the governor announced plans to spend $26 billion on the downstate MTA Capital Plan, but only $20 billion for the rest of the state, I called foul.  Now, the final approved state budget includes a record $27.1 billion multi-year transportation capital plan to meet upstate needs,” Seward added.

Along with much needed CHIPs funding and the DOT capital funding, $800 million will be used to fund the Pave NY/Bridge NY program over the next four years.  This includes $400 million ($100 million per year for local projects distributed baed on the CHIPs formula and $400 million for local bridge projects. 

“The road and bridge repairs that will result from this state funding will enhance motorist safety and help us accommodate economic growth.  Now the dedicated men and women who maintain our  roads can focus on local priorities at a cost taxpayers can afford,” Seward concluded.

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