A Finger Lakes lawmaker is calling for increased state funding to help local governments maintain roads and bridges.
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan joined highway superintendents and local road crews at the State Capitol on March 5 to advocate for more funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, known as CHIPS.
The program provides state aid to towns, counties and villages responsible for maintaining local roads and bridges.
Gallahan said the governor’s proposed budget includes $648 million for CHIPS statewide.
“In the governor’s proposed budget, $648 million is allocated for CHIPS to be divided among every town and the 62 counties in the state, while $4.5 billion is proposed for downstate transit and the New York City subway system,” Gallahan said.
Local officials at the event said higher funding is needed as the cost of materials, equipment and labor continues to rise.
Town of Canandaigua Highway Superintendent Jim Fletcher said the funding helps communities maintain safe roads used by residents, school buses, emergency services and local businesses.
State lawmakers are continuing negotiations on the final state budget.
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