Gov. Hochul Draws Praise for Boosting NYSDOT Capital Plan by $800M in FY26
ELMSFORD, NY —A coalition led by the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, local union leaders and elected officials is calling on all state lawmakers following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s lead to 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 on Feb. 19 at the Teamsters Local 456 Union Hall in Elmsford. Coalition leaders thanked Gov. Hochul for her Executive Budget proposal that increases the NYSDOT Capital plan by $800 million.
The additional funding is needed to help restore the buying power of the NYSDOT core program which has been eroded by unprecedented construction materials inflation costs. 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 also 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, the 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 many of the region’s labor unions and Building Trades Councils, including Teamsters Local 456, Laborers Local 60, 235, 754 and 17, Operating Engineers Local 137 and 825, and Carpenters Local 279. Also attending the rally were the New York State Assembly Members MaryJane Shimsky and Chris Burdick.
Some highlights of the event included insightful comments from key stakeholders in attendance, such as:
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-93rd District: “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-92nd District): “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 the more than decade of neglect of our roads, we are going to need sustained investment.”
President Louis Picani 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 of the 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.”