Members of the Hudson Valley delegation in the New York State Assembly have joined together to urge the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to prioritize Region 8 in the state’s upcoming five-year Capital Plan. Assemblymen Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown), Brian Maher (R,C-Walden), Anil Beephan, Jr. (R,C-East Fishkill) and Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark) submitted a letter to NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez calling for increased funding and resources for Region 8, which includes Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties.

“Our region has more state highway lane miles and more state-owned bridges than any other DOT region in the state,” said Assemblyman Slater. “We are the nexus between the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley and New York City. Despite this, we continuously get a lower share of capital funding relative to our asset base—our roadways and bridges are deteriorating before our eyes.”

In the letter, Slater notes:

• Region 8 contains more than 5,963 lane miles of state highways and more than 1,143 state-owned bridges, making it the most asset-heavy DOT region in NY.
• More than 40% of pavement conditions in the region are rated “fair” or “poor,” a rate higher than many other DOT regions.
• TRIP reports show that in the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown Metro Area, 14% of bridges are structurally deficient, compared to a statewide average of about 9%.
• In FY2021, Region 8 received $305.9 million, just 9% of DOT’s $3.3 billion capital program, despite maintaining roughly 15% of the state’s highway system.

“There are several major infrastructure projects in Region 8 that require sustained support to complete efficiently and on time,” said Assemblyman Slater. “These projects are critical not only for our local communities but for the economic vitality of the entire state as well. The one-size-fits-all funding model currently in place does not reflect the unique demands of asset-heavy regions like ours. We need a significant and sustained increase in investment to address the backlog of maintenance, complete critical projects and bring our infrastructure up to a state of good repair.”

“The Hudson Valley is one of the most economically and strategically vital regions in New York State, yet our transportation infrastructure continues to be underfunded and overlooked,” said Assemblyman Maher. “From Orange County to Columbia County, our communities are burdened with crumbling roads and aging bridges that jeopardize public safety and hinder economic growth. Region 8 maintains more infrastructure than any other region in the state, it's time the Capital Plan reflects that reality. We’re calling on NYSDOT to finally give our region the investment it has long deserved.”

“Infrastructure, such as roads, is the lifeblood of communities, so it should not be too much to ask that we receive our fair share of funding in our Hudson Valley districts. Our mothers, fathers, children and friends all travel on them, so they should be safe to drive on and well-maintained,” said Assemblyman Beephan.

Assemblyman Brabenec said, “We pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, yet too many of our roads look like they belong in a third-world country. Our communities can’t afford to be shortchanged any longer. It’s time for DOT to stop overlooking the Hudson Valley and start making real, lasting investments in our roads and bridges.”

The legislators urge NYSDOT to:

• Increase Region 8’s funding allocation to reflect its share of the state’s transportation infrastructure and deteriorating conditions;

• Prioritize the completion of large-scale infrastructure projects essential to transportation safety, mobility and economic development; and

• Adopt asset-based and needs-driven criteria when determining capital plan allocations across all DOT regions.

Read the letter to NYSDOT here.