State Senator Patty Ritchie joined local highway officials from throughout New York State Wednesday to rally in support of increased funding for roads and bridges in the new state budget.

In addition to joining highway superintendents for a press conference and rally, Senator Ritchie also met with highway officials from throughout Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties to hear their concerns about infrastructure throughout the region she represents.

“Making sure our local roads are safe and reliable is critically important to the safety of those who travel them, our economy and the state as a whole,” said Senator Ritchie.

“As state budget negotiations continue, I am committed to advocating alongside my colleagues, as well as local highway officials to see that the final spending plan includes key investments in improving our local roads and bridges.” 

This year, Senator Ritchie is joining colleagues in calling for the following:

• Increasing the annual Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) base funding level—which has remained stagnant for the past 7 years—by $150 million for a total of $588 million. It’s estimated that every $1 invested in the CHIPS program is $1 less the local property taxpayer has to pay, as well as can save from $6-$14 in long-term rehabilitation costs.

• Restoring $65 million in “Extreme Winter Recovery” funds that were eliminated in the 2019-20 Executive Budget. Support for the program has been essential to the ability of local municipalities to address roadway infrastructure issues caused by extreme winter weather.

Local government are responsible for maintaining nearly 87 percent of roads in New York State and one-half of the state’s 18,000 bridges.

(Senator Ritchie is seen in the above photo with Assembly members Will Barclay and Mark Walczyk, as well as highway officials from throughout Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties.)