Call to Add $250M to CHIPS
Coalition Finds a Partner in Gov. Hochul With Proposal to Add $800M to NYSDOT
By JOHN JORDAN
ELMSFORD, NY —A coalition led by the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley and local construction trade unions is demanding state lawmakers allocate more funds for the repair and maintenance of the Hudson Valley’s crumbling and pothole-filled state roadways. The coalition held a Hudson Valley Road Funding Rally last month at the Teamsters Local 456 Union Hall in Elmsford.
Coalition leaders thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul for her Executive Budget proposal to increase the NYSDOT Capital plan by $800 million, which will help the NYSDOT restore the buying power for its core program eroded by unprecedented construction materials inflation. The increased funding will help improve road and bridge conditions across New York State and also improve conditions in Region 8, which has historically been underfunded.
Fueled by rallying cries of “Talk is cheap, tires are expensive,” the coalition asked the Hudson Valley New York State Assembly and New York State Senate delegation to include an increase of $250 million in funding for the NYSDOT local roads program called CHIPS in their respective One House Budget proposals. The increased funding need for CHIPS is driven by the same construction materials cost inflation experienced by the NYSDOT core program.
“While we have work to do to ensure the Hudson Valley receives its fair share of this proposal, increasing the overall investment is a great first step,” said CIC Executive Director John Cooney, Jr. Speaking on behalf of more than four hundred contractors, suppliers and aligned labor unions, Mr. Cooney also urged the New York State Senate and Assembly to “follow the governor’s lead by including this funding in their one-house budget proposals.” He said, “The CIC stands ready to work with state leaders to ensure this funding becomes a reality and delivers meaningful improvements for all New Yorkers.”
NYSDOT Region 8 has had the worst road and bridge conditions in New York State for more than 10 years. Region 8 also has the most highway lane miles (5,963) and the most bridges (1,143) of any Region, yet on average Region 8 ranks third in terms of funding. Region 8 includes 13 cities, 75 villages and 107 towns in Westchester, Ulster, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Columbia counties.
According to TRIP, a Washington, DC-based national transportation research non-profit, roads and bridges that are deteriorated, congested and lack some desirable safety features cost New York motorists a total of $38 billion statewide annually due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion- related delays.
Attending the rally with Mr. Cooney were representatives from Teamsters L.U. 456, Laborers L.U. 60, 235, 754 and 17, Operating Engineers L.U. 137 and 825, Carpenters L.U. 279. Also present were New York State assemblymembers Chris Burdick and MaryJane Shimsky.
Highlights of the event included insightful comments from key stakeholders:
CIC Executive Director John Cooney, Jr.: “I need to thank the governor for the proposed $800-million increase in her Executive Budget proposal for the NYSDOT core program. The governor’s proposed increase helps NYSDOT restore the original buying power of NYSDOT’s Five-Year Capital Plan that has been eroded by unprecedented construction material cost inflation. Further, thanks to the governor, her Executive Budget calls for the New York State Automated Speed Zone Enforcement to become permanent and expanded to the New York State Triborough Bridge and New York State Bridge Authority.”
New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick (D-93 AD): “You would think that the first thing people (his constituents) would complain about are their taxes. The first thing that people complain about is the roads. What are you doing to fix the roads? People don’t know if it is a state road, a local road or a county road, they just want the roads fixed.”
New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky (D-92 AD): “Our local governments need the ($250 million) CHIPS increase. There is no question about it… We know that there is a lot going on in Washington right now and that can end up affecting finances in New York State in a lot of bad ways. People are going to be looking at each other and trying to prioritize. We need to keep roads on the priority list… In order to catch up with more than a decade of neglect of our roads, we are going to need sustained investment.”
Louis Picani, President and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 456: “This (increased road funding) is so important to our members and affects all our constituents in our area and it is so vital that we continue fighting. It always has and always will be an issue for us. We are not going to stop here.”
Edward Cooke, Vice President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester & Putnam Counties: “Talk is cheap, tires are expensive. That’s the reality. What we do on these roads every day—our great DOT workers and our professional contractors—is we patch them. There is a better way. We need to get down to the proper substrate. We need to reformat these roads so they last. Throwing money after money after money on roads that are insufficient and bridges that are insufficient won’t work in Westchester County.”
Highway Superintendent Groups Press Lawmakers for More Road Funding
ALBANY—Statewide organizations representing county and town highway superintendents have recently staged events calling on state lawmakers to ramp up highway and bridge funding.
Locally, on Feb. 28, highway superintendents from Orange County gathered at the Cornwall Highway Department to advocate for additional state funding, according to Mid-Hudson News. The news conference also included representatives from the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, the Orange County Highway Superintendents Association and others.
Tom Gschwind, Cornwall Highway superintendent, said the superintendents are looking for additiona funds from the state’s Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). Gschwind is president of the Orange County Association of Highway Superintendents and serves on the board of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways
Gschwind said highway superintendents are also seeking funds from the State Touring Route Program and Extreme Weather Recovery Program for county and town roads. Those funds are now allocated for state roads.
A press conference was held upstate on Feb. 28 that featured a coalition of state, county and local officials, as well as the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, that called for additional funding for state road projects. The group is calling on Gov. Hochul and state legislative leaders to increase the CHIPS base level funding by $250 million to a total of $848 million.
Matt Mustico, Town of Elmira Highway Superintendent and current President of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc., said, “Local highway departments work tirelessly to maintain and improve our infrastructure despite rising costs, aging systems, and extreme weather challenges. Together with NYSCHSA (New York State County Highway Superintendents Association) our members are requesting the commitment of state leaders to prioritize infrastructure investment with a $250 million increase to CHIPS in the 2025-26 Enacted Budget. Strong infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth, public safety, and quality of life for all residents across New York State.”
NYSCHSA held a press briefing on Feb. 27 and staged its highly impactful “2025 Advocacy Day” in Albany on March 4-5 along with the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways. The program entitled “Local Roads Are Essential” attracted approximately 700 highway superintendents and public works officials who lobbied state lawmakers on their legislative priorities that included a call for a $250-million increase in CHIPs funding.
Published: March 13, 2025.