Strong communities require healthy roads, bridges, sewers, and water systems to operate, and this year’s state budget seeks to bolster New York’s commitment to stimulating economic growth from the ground up.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said pairing road and bridge projects with water and sewer upgrades makes economic sense.
“This approach takes into account the practical realities of many communities in the state that have old roads built above older water and sewer systems,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “I have fought for years for a funding strategy that takes into account the needs of our localities dealing with aging infrastructure, both above and below ground, and I believe this year’s budget is another step in the right direction.”
The 2016-2017 budget builds upon the landmark $200 million Water Quality Infrastructure Grant Program created by the state Assembly last year by including an additional $200 million in funding over the next two years.
The additional funding comes from a $100 million increase included in the governor’s proposed budget and an additional $100 million included in the Assembly’s budget proposal.
The $200 million fund, which was ultimately included in the final budget, has specific language to not only improve New York’s aging infrastructure, but to ensure that at least $20 million in projects addressing health and safety issues are allocated funding. This funding could be used to mitigate water quality issues such as those faced in areas like the town of Orleans, Assemblywoman Russell said.
"The additional funding is critical for communities like Orleans that have not been able to close gaps in the funding they had previously been able to secure to pay for the cost of water infrastructure. This additional pool of money should provide the funding to get underway this and other vital projects to provide safe drinking water. That had been an issue facing the town of Orleans project," she said. “The town of Orleans has submitted to be awarded funding from the Water Quality Infrastructure Grant Program.”
The $200 million fund, which was ultimately included in the final budget, has specific language to not only improve New York’s aging infrastructure, but to ensure that at least $20 million in projects addressing health and safety issues are allocated funding. This funding could be used to mitigate water quality issues such as those faced in areas like the town of Orleans, Assemblywoman Russell said.
"The additional funding is critical for communities like Orleans that have not been able to close gaps in the funding they had previously been able to secure to pay for the cost of water infrastructure. This additional pool of money should provide the funding to get underway this and other vital projects to provide safe drinking water. That had been an issue facing the town of Orleans project," she said. “The town of Orleans has submitted to be awarded funding from the Water Quality Infrastructure Grant Program.”
This year’s budget also allocates $1.5 million for water testing, which includes tests for lead in schools across the state, Assemblywoman Russell said.
“The dangers posed by pollution and failing water systems cannot be understated,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “We must do everything we can to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to clean, safe drinking water.”
In addition to continued CHIPs funding of $438 million, the budget includes funding for PAVE NY and BRIDGE NY in the amount of $800 million each over a four-year period. These infrastructure investments will be divided equally between the state and localities and allocated in the same fashion as CHIPs funding.
“These investments will help improve the safety and reliability of our state’s bridges and roads, while ensuring cash-strapped localities like those in the North Country have adequate funds to make necessary improvements,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
Aging infrastructure is a problem throughout the state. A 2012 report issued by the state Comptroller’s office found that 45.9 percent of local roads and highways were rated “poor” or "fair” and 35 percent of local bridges are deficient.
"Highway superintendents and other colleagues in local elected office regularly share with me the challenges they face maintaining the roads and bridges in their municipalities. Most simply don't have the dollars they need to do the work they should do each year," Assemblywoman Russell.
"That is why it was so important to make sure there were no cuts to the CHIPs program and that additional dollars were added to the budget for each of the next four years specifically targeted for road and bridge repairs. The commitment of these funds to upstate transportation infrastructure was essential in this year's budget.”
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