New York Construction Report staff writer
A coalition of business, government and labor organizations in New York are advocating for a multi-billion-dollar plan backed by the state Senate for a key highway construction program.
The Rebuild NY Now coalition sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie supporting the state Senate’s budget proposal to add $2 billion to the department of transportation’s capital program. If approved, $8 billion would be available over the next four years.
Rebuild NY Now is a partnership of supporters seeking to raise public awareness about the issues impacting New York State’s infrastructure. The coalition actively engages federal and state elected officials to support public policies that promote safe roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure.
With construction costs skyrocketing, the additional funding is needed in the 2023-24 budget for highway construction just to keep funding at the same level it was when the five-year program was initially adopted,” the group wrote.
“Without a significant level of funding added to the NYSDOT’s core program this year, we will see significant reductions in the maintenance and reconstruction work done in every NYSDOT Region in the state,” the coalition states. “While the Assembly has recognized the necessity for additional investment in the DOT capital program in their budget resolution, the additional funding they have proposed falls far short of the system’s true needs.
“Without it, conditions on New York’s roads and bridges will only get worse condition despite the once in a generation opportunity created by the federal infrastructure bill to move them to a state of good repair. We cannot allow that to become a missed opportunity.”
