As New York State lawmakers enter final budget negotiations, local officials and advocates are pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to increase investment in local roads, bridges, and culverts. Senator Tom O’Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano are leading a renewed push for greater funding, arguing that current state investment is inadequate in the face of soaring construction costs.
Their advocacy is part of the annual “Local Roads Are Essential” campaign, which is backed by the New York State Association of County Highway Superintendents and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways. They contend that Hochul’s proposed budget for 2025-26 fails to address urgent infrastructure needs, particularly by keeping funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) at last year’s level.
“Governor Hochul fails to recognize the enormous impact inflation is having on the costs of construction materials,” O’Mara wrote in a recent letter to the governor and legislative leaders. The Federal Highway Administration’s data shows that highway construction costs have risen by 70% in the past three years, making flat funding a significant setback for local municipalities.
A recent study found that municipalities require an additional $40.35 billion over 15 years to maintain locally owned roads, an annual shortfall of $2.69 billion. To address this, local road advocates are calling for an increase in CHIPS base funding by $250 million, consolidating five road assistance programs to reduce administrative costs, and raising or eliminating the CHIPS bidding threshold to give municipalities more flexibility in handling projects.
Another growing concern is the state mandate requiring local school districts to transition to all-electric school bus fleets by 2027. Because electric buses are heavier than traditional diesel buses, studies estimate that road maintenance costs for towns could rise from $20,000–$50,000 per mile to as much as $550,000 per mile for full reconstruction.
Local highway leaders and state legislators recently gathered at the Big Flats Town Highway Garage to outline these concerns. This week, advocates from across the state are rallying at the State Capitol, wearing their trademark orange “Local Roads Are Essential” shirts to press lawmakers for action.
“The hardworking people on our local crews ensure New York’s drivers get to and from work, homes, schools, hospitals, and other destinations safely,” said Matt Mustico, president of the New York State Association of Town Highway Superintendents. “We must work together so that all state and local critical infrastructure needs are addressed. Our economy, workers, and the traveling public are depending on us.”
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