Members of the Hudson Valley delegation in the New York State Assembly are urging the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to give higher priority to Region 8 in the state’s next five-year Capital Plan. The group, including Assemblymen Matt Slater, Brian Maher, Anil Beephan, Jr., and Karl Brabenec, submitted a letter to NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez requesting more funding and resources for Region 8. This region covers Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
Assemblyman Slater said, “Our region has more state highway lane miles and more state-owned bridges than any other DOT region in the state. We are the nexus between the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley and New York City. Despite this, we continuously get a lower share of capital funding relative to our asset base—our roadways and bridges are deteriorating before our eyes.”
In their letter to NYSDOT leadership, Slater emphasized ongoing infrastructure needs: “There are several major infrastructure projects in Region 8 that require sustained support to complete efficiently and on time,” said Assemblyman Slater. “These projects are critical not only for our local communities but for the economic vitality of the entire state as well. The one-size-fits-all funding model currently in place does not reflect the unique demands of asset-heavy regions like ours. We need a significant and sustained increase in investment to address the backlog of maintenance, complete critical projects and bring our infrastructure up to a state of good repair.”
Assemblyman Maher added concerns about underfunding: “The Hudson Valley is one of the most economically and strategically vital regions in New York State, yet our transportation infrastructure continues to be underfunded and overlooked,” said Assemblyman Maher. “From Orange County to Columbia County, our communities are burdened with crumbling roads and aging bridges that jeopardize public safety and hinder economic growth. Region 8 maintains more infrastructure than any other region in the state, it’s time the Capital Plan reflects that reality. We’re calling on NYSDOT to finally give our region the investment it has long deserved.”
“Infrastructure, such as roads, is the lifeblood of communities, so it should not be too much to ask that we receive our fair share of funding in our Hudson Valley districts. Our mothers, fathers, children and friends all travel on them, so they should be safe to drive on and well-maintained,” said Assemblyman Beephan.
Assemblyman Brabenec also voiced frustration over current conditions: “We pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, yet too many of our roads look like they belong in a third-world country. Our communities can’t afford to be shortchanged any longer. It’s time for DOT to stop overlooking the Hudson Valley and start making real, lasting investments in our roads and bridges.”
The lawmakers have called on NYSDOT officials to review their requests ahead of finalizing statewide transportation priorities.
