Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today wrote to Gov. Cuomo and New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Matthew Driscoll asking for increased funding to repair and secure dozens of local bridges that have been deemed structurally deficient by a recent report from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office.
“Securing infrastructure funding at the local level is like pulling teeth every year in Albany,” Hawley said. “Just because we are a more rural community compared to New York City doesn’t mean our local roads, bridges and highways take any less punishment.
"If anything, our bridges wear down more easily because many more residents drive and our agriculture and small business vehicles are constantly shipping more goods across the state.”
Statewide estimates to make all the necessary repairs are $27 billion, with 23 percent of Genesee County bridges and 16.2 percent of Orleans County bridges categorized as structurally deficient.
“This is about giving peace of mind to our bus drivers as they bring our children to school, our parents making the morning commute to put food on the table and our small-business owners working hard to transport their goods to market,” Hawley said.
“Government’s top priority should be the safety of its residents, and that starts with roads and bridges in which we have confidence, allowing residents and tourists to travel safely. Securing funding to make this a reality is a must, and I will fight in the coming weeks and months to make that happen.”
How noble of Assemblyman
How noble of Assemblyman Hawley to recognize the fact that roads should be safe for buses that transport kids and for commuters and business owners. Who would not agree?
What I think the Assemblyman fails to realize is that the $27 billion required to make the upgrades does not grow on trees. When you boast about cutting taxes in every press release how can you now demand such a costly repair? Seems to me instead of thinking long term about infrastructure planning, Hawley and those who think like him can't see the forest through the trees.
He is very correct that we need major road and bridge repair. This is true not only in GLOW but across the entire state. Instead of the silly photo ops and non stop Cuomo bashing, and thumping the 2nd amendment, it is high time he start realizing the horrible condition of our roads. Now that he realizes it, how can he pay for it? I would suggest that more tax cuts for the rich will not do it. Nor will more subsidies for multi-million dollar global corporations who come to town promising the world, only to leave us with broken hearts and the tax breaks we gave them.