Montrose, NY — A coalition of elected officials and union leaders from the Hudson Valley convened at the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 137 Training Center to advocate for significant investments in road safety and infrastructure in the next New York State Budget. The group is urging the allocation of $800 million in additional transportation funding, with a targeted $100 million earmarked for NYSDOT Region 8, which oversees the Hudson Valley’s roadways. The Town of Stony Point is included in Region 8.
Highlighting Dire Needs in NYSDOT Region 8 Region 8, encompassing 5,461 lane miles—the highest in the state—has been identified as having the worst road conditions in New York, with 60% of its roads and half of its bridges classified as poor. The repaving cycle in the region averages 16 years, compared to the state average of 12 years, a disparity that has prompted growing safety concerns and financial burdens for motorists.
State Senator Pete Harckham emphasized the critical nature of the situation. “Our roads are essential for maintaining quality of life and economic vitality. The Hudson Valley deserves proportional investment to address its dire infrastructure needs,” said Harckham, warning that current spending levels are insufficient to prevent further deterioration.
Call for Equitable Funding Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other legislators echoed these concerns, highlighting Region 8’s inequitable funding despite its significant roadway responsibilities. Assemblymember Dana Levenberg stressed, “Our region’s roads are the most numerous and neediest, yet funding does not reflect this reality. It’s time to prioritize our infrastructure in this year’s state budget.”
Industry and Labor Advocacy John T. Cooney, Jr., executive director of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, underlined the economic and safety imperatives of increased funding, particularly in light of rising inflation. “The $800 million increase in the NYSDOT Core Program is necessary to address the 25% rise in construction costs since 2022. Our residents deserve well-maintained roads and bridges,” he stated.
Union representatives, including Jeff Loughlin of IUOE Local 137, stressed the safety and economic implications of the funding shortfall. “Inadequate investment jeopardizes safety and limits economic potential,” Loughlin said, thanking local legislators for their advocacy.
Broader Impacts A 2024 report from TRIP, a national transportation research organization, estimates poor road conditions cost motorists $36.7 billion annually in vehicle damage, crashes, and delays. These expenses represent a “pothole tax” that officials say disproportionately burdens Hudson Valley residents due to the region’s deteriorating infrastructure.
Next Steps The coalition’s unified call to action seeks to ensure road safety and economic growth in the Hudson Valley through increased state budget allocations. As the 2025-26 budget deliberations approach, advocates hope the Executive Budget will prioritize Region 8’s critical infrastructure needs.