Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today joined highway workers from around the state and legislators in Albany calling for a $150 million increase to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) as well as an increase to the state’s PAVE-NY program. These programs are among the main funding mechanisms for localities to repair and maintain their local streets and highways. CHIPS funding has remained stagnant in recent state budgets.

“It is beyond time that Long Island receives its fair share of infrastructure funding,” McDonough said. “I have been calling for repairs to the Wantagh and Southern State Parkways in recent months and am pleased to see projects are in the works; but we mustn’t forget our local streets and highways and the dedicated men and women who work to keep them safe and reliable. An investment in infrastructure is an investment in local jobs and economic development, and I will be fighting for Long Island’s roads, bridges and highways as we begin to negotiate the budget.”