NYS budget must hike funding for local roads and bridges

It’s that time of year again when winter fades, spring emerges, and the damage from months of snow, ice, and relentless freeze-thaw cycles becomes painfully clear on New York’s roads. The potholes, crumbling pavement and deteriorating bridges serve as visible reminders that our local transportation infrastructure requires sustained, annual investment.

In a state where extreme weather conditions are the norm, maintaining and improving roads and bridges is an ongoing challenge and one that is only becoming more costly due to rising labor and material expenses. Without increased state support, municipalities like ours are left struggling to keep up with necessary repairs, ultimately delaying critical projects while conditions worsen and costs continue to grow.

Our local roads, bridges and highways are the backbone of economic growth, linking businesses to customers, enabling commerce between urban and rural communities and providing mobility that people need in order to thrive. State programs like the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), the Extreme Winter Recovery Program, and PAVE-NY have provided essential resources and funding allowing us to make key improvements in our infrastructure.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget keeps these critical sources of funding at current-year levels. The rising costs of labor and materials, however, cannot be overstated. Since the pandemic, the cost of fuel, asphalt and steel have increased dramatically, while local infrastructure needs continue to exceed available resources. Furthermore, more densely populated areas face additional challenges associated with pedestrian safety and multimodal transit. Consequently, while level funding is preferable to a reduction, it won’t provide communities with the necessary resources to meet the increasing expenses linked to maintaining our roads and bridges.

It is also important to note that not only does investing in this critical infrastructure facilitate the movement of goods and people, but every dollar allocated to road and bridge projects creates jobs and strengthens local economies. Furthermore, as safety continues to be a recurring theme in state budget negotiations, let’s not forget the role that local transportation infrastructure plays in achieving that goal.

Well-maintained roads, bridges, and traffic systems ensure that emergency services — firefighters, police, paramedics — can reach those in need more quickly. Clear, reliable routes minimize delays during emergencies, saving lives. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks ensure the safe passage of pedestrians and cyclists, reducing accidents between vehicles and vulnerable road users. Properly maintained roads and bridges reduce the risk of accidents caused by potholes, cracks, or other roadway hazards, and ensure that vehicles are less likely to experience breakdowns, which can pose safety risks.

New York’s economy depends on a well-maintained, reliable transportation network. By investing in local highway infrastructure, we are not only improving roads and bridges but also paving the way for better safety, accessibility and economic vitality for communities across the state. We urge the governor and State Legislature to include more local transportation funding in the 2025-26 state budget so we can make the necessary investments now to keep New York moving forward.

This guest essay reflects the views of Francis X. Murray, mayor of the Village of Rockville Centre.