Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today joined town and county highway superintendents to call for increased funding to the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), which is used to repair local roads and bridges. A bi-partisan coalition was formed by nearly 60 assembly members and 10 senators.

“Limited funding and increased material costs have slowed road and bridge repair to a near halt, and the state must invest back into our communities to rebuild the infrastructure that we need to revitalize towns and counties and attract economic development,” Blankenbush said. “It’s high time we make sure the funds designed for road repairs go where they’re needed most, right in our own communities, and I am happy to work with the governor and legislative leaders to accomplish this.”

Many of the state’s roads and bridges are in disrepair. According to the state comptroller’s office, nearly a third of all bridges are deficient with 40 percent of roads being rated as fair to poor. Blankenbush argues that a strong infrastructure system is essential for rapid economic development and revitalization, which is needed throughout upstate New York.

Largely, vehicle traffic occurs on local roads and highways, but less than 12 percent of funds raised for road repair are ever returned to municipalities. The coalition will be working throughout the remainder of the budget process to increase funding to the CHIPs program to ensure important rebuilding can take place in local communities.