Livingston County and Monroe County Highway Superintendents and Town Supervisors rallied along with Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes to call for more CHIPS funding. Submitted photo from Byrnes’ office
Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) joined Livingston County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors David LeFeber, town supervisors, and numerous town highway superintendents from Livingston and Monroe counties to call for a funding increase in the state budget for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Programs (CHIPS).
Local highway departments maintain 87 percent of the roadways and 50 percent of the bridges in New York State. CHIPS is the principal funding source municipalities use to maintain local roads, bridges, and culverts. This funding has not seen an increase since 2013.
“Our highway crews are doing their best. Unfortunately, inadequate and stagnant funding from the state has led to deteriorating road conditions throughout the area. It is increasingly difficult for our local officials to address these maintenance issues. Good roads are imperative for our local economy, public safety, transportation, and our quality of life,” said Byrnes.
The governor’s 2021-22 Executive Budget proposed $438.1 million in total statewide funding for CHIPS for the ninth year in a row. Further, he proposed eliminating the Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR) program which was created to assist local highway crews in repairing road damage incurred after harsh winter weather.
Byrnes said, “I will continue to fight for proper funding, so our roads and bridges are safe for all of us.”
