NY keeps spending more on aging highways and bridges
By Michael Virtanen
Associated Press
ALBANY (AP) - New York has steadily increased spending on highways and bridges over the past decade, including more federal funds in the past five years while that support lagged in most states, according to federal data analyzed by The Associated Press.
Total state spending on its aging highway system rose from $6.6 billion in 2003 to $8.5 billion in 2013. That includes construction, maintenance, administration, bond payments, grants to municipalities, law enforcement and safety.
That’s up 29 percent over the decade, though only 2 percent when adjusting for inflation. Meanwhile, Federal Highway Trust Fund outlays to New York rose from $1.6 billion to $2 billion. That aid was up 21 percent for the decade and also up 11 percent the last five years compared with an overall national drop of 7.3 percent.
New York was one of only two states that saw an increase in inflation-adjusted federal highway money during that span.
Now the Cuomo administration proposes boosting infrastructure spending in the fiscal year that starts April 1. Budget plans include a $3.5 billion Transportation Department capital program and using $1.285 billion from windfall bank settlements for Thruway investments, including the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
“Compared to many other states, New York is making very substantial investments to ensure a safe and reliable transportation infrastructure,” Budget Division spokesman Morris Peters said. Erecting twin spans to replace the Tappan Zee, opened in 1955, is currently the largest infrastructure project in the country, he said.
Associated Press
ALBANY (AP) - New York has steadily increased spending on highways and bridges over the past decade, including more federal funds in the past five years while that support lagged in most states, according to federal data analyzed by The Associated Press.
Total state spending on its aging highway system rose from $6.6 billion in 2003 to $8.5 billion in 2013. That includes construction, maintenance, administration, bond payments, grants to municipalities, law enforcement and safety.
That’s up 29 percent over the decade, though only 2 percent when adjusting for inflation. Meanwhile, Federal Highway Trust Fund outlays to New York rose from $1.6 billion to $2 billion. That aid was up 21 percent for the decade and also up 11 percent the last five years compared with an overall national drop of 7.3 percent.
New York was one of only two states that saw an increase in inflation-adjusted federal highway money during that span.
Now the Cuomo administration proposes boosting infrastructure spending in the fiscal year that starts April 1. Budget plans include a $3.5 billion Transportation Department capital program and using $1.285 billion from windfall bank settlements for Thruway investments, including the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
“Compared to many other states, New York is making very substantial investments to ensure a safe and reliable transportation infrastructure,” Budget Division spokesman Morris Peters said. Erecting twin spans to replace the Tappan Zee, opened in 1955, is currently the largest infrastructure project in the country, he said.
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