September 8, 2009

Erie County Legislature Demands Equal Funding for Road and Bridge Projects From State

Members of the Erie County Legislature held a press conference today urging New York State elected representatives to distribute road and bridge funding more equitably to Western New York. At the press conference, sponsors of a resolution calling upon New York State to reallocate road and bridge funding in a more equitable manner spoke about how Western New York is being harmed by current funding levels.

In the most recent New York State budget and in the distribution of federal stimulus dollars earmarked for road and bridge projects, Region 5, which includes Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, has seen a disproportionately low allocation of road and bridge repair dollars. "It is of great importance that Western New York receives its fair share of road and bridge funding from New York State," Legislator John J. Mills, 13th District said, "This is a public safety issue. Putting less money into these projects while our roads and bridges are crumbling is not acceptable and the taxpayers are suffering."

Supporters of more equitable funding state that historically, Region 5 has received over 9% of the total Department of Transportation's funding. Although this percentage is representative of the number of lane miles in the region as part of the entire state highway system, funding has decreased in recent years to as low as 4.4% of the road and bridge project allocation statewide. "I am hopeful that our New York State elected officials will respond to the reduction in funding in the Western New York region and right this wrong," Legislator Raymond W. Walter, 4th District, stated. "Our community is heavily dependent on the county and state road and highway system, which have become run down and, in some cases, dangerous. I strongly encourage state officials to find a way to level the playing field for this region." "This is not a Democrat or a Republican issue, but rather it is an issue of equity. Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy, 2nd District added, "New York State needs to start treating Western New York on an even keel with the rest of the state, especially given the difficult economic times this region is digging itself out from."

Legislators also note that Region 5 is scheduled to receive only 6.7% of federal stimulus money earmarked for road and bridge projects in New York State. If this money was allocated on the basis of lane miles or traditional funding levels, Western New York would receive $30 million additional dollars to repair its transportation infrastructure. In addition to repairing roads and bridges, the federal stimulus money is intended to spur economic growth during difficult economic times. "The funding allocation for road and bridge projects ignores the need for economic growth and the public safety of Western New Yorkers. New York State must adjust the allocations to more fairly address the needs of our region and help spur economic growth both here and across the state," stated Legislator Edward A. Rath III, 15th District and lead sponsor of the resolution.

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