AASHTO Journal, 8 January 2016
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed that the state make a record capital investment with a program to invest $22 billion over five years in road and bridge infrastructure projects.
Cuomo’s office has been rolling out various transportation proposals in separate announcements, including for New York State Thruway tolls relief and an expansion of the Long Island Rail Road’s main line.
His Jan. 6 announcement of the road and bridge investments said he was “unveiling a $22 billion multi-year capital plan to upgrade critical roads, bridges and other vital transportation infrastructure throughout the state, especially in Upstate. It is the largest capital program in the state’s history.”
It was short on details, but said the plan includes $1 billion “to replace, rehabilitate and maintain at least 200 vital state and local bridges” in a program that “will help expand and protect public safety and critical economic growth and commercial activities all across the state.”
Another $1 billion will go to state and local road paving projects, and $500 million would be used for an “extreme weather infrastructure hardening program” to improve roadways proven to be susceptible to flooding and other extreme weather related events.