Fixing Hudson Valley’s Crumbling Roads and Bridges: Lawmakers Demand Action

A Decade of Under-Investment

State and local lawmakers, joined by labor leaders, gathered in Montrose on Thursday to urge Governor Kathy Hochul to allocate $100 million in state funds to repair the crumbling roads and bridges of the Lower Hudson Valley. The region, heavily reliant on cars, has seen a decade of under-investment, resulting in deteriorating infrastructure, including pothole-filled roads, decaying bridges, and narrow overpasses.

A Decline in Road Repairs

State Senator Pete Harckham (D-40th District) highlighted troubling statistics showing a sharp decline in repaved lane miles in the Hudson Valley. In 2022, 430 lane miles were repaved, but that number dropped to just 245 this year. "The statistics bear out we are not getting our fair share," Harckham stated, noting that the number of lane miles repaired statewide has similarly fallen, from 4,000 to 2,200.

The Need for Immediate Action

Harckham and other lawmakers are calling for the $100 million allocation from the state’s $800 million statewide infrastructure fund. They are urging Hochul to include this investment in her budget when she presents it in January. In 2023, Hochul had pledged $1 billion in state funds to address pothole repairs across New York, an effort driven by her firsthand experience of the poor road conditions while serving as lieutenant governor.

The Impact of Deteriorating Roads

Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg (D-95th District) pointed out that road issues remain the top complaint from constituents. Climate change-induced flooding and increased traffic are only worsening conditions. Local officials like Briarcliff Manor Mayor Steven Vescio noted that outdated, century-old roads were never designed for modern use and now require expensive upgrades.

A Growing Consensus for Change

Labor leaders also expressed concern, with Ed Cooke of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters calling the outdated infrastructure "unacceptable." Despite recent improvements like the rehabilitation of the Wurts Street Bridge and resurfacing of key routes, officials stress that more investment is needed to avoid even higher repair costs in the future.

As the Hudson Valley’s infrastructure continues to degrade, lawmakers are urging swift action to secure the funding necessary to address these critical issues.