Rebuild NY Now, a broad-based coalition
seeking to raise public awareness about the
issues impacting New York state’s infrastructure,
continued its campaign and call for
parity in November, meeting in Albany with
local elected officials, members of organized
labor, and private local businesses.
This coalition called on the State Legislature
and the governor to include funding
parity between the capital plans of the Metropolitan
Transit Authority and the New York
State Department of Transportation in the
2016-17 Executive Budget.
Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of
Rebuild NY Now, said the coalition has come
together “because our crumbling roads and
bridges are in serious need of attention and,
more importantly, are in serious need of
a multibillion dollar capital commitment
from the state. Renewing a commitment to
the historic parity agreement between roads
and bridges and transit will not only create
jobs and save New Yorkers money, but it will
ensure the safety and well-being of Capital
District families who every day ride on roads
and bridges that are in a state of disrepair.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy
said, “Capital Region drivers and their families
deserve safe and reliable roads and bridges
just as New York City commuters deserve a
transit system that is second to none. Many
commute every day on roads and bridges that
need to be fixed. We must restore parity to
New York’s millions of drivers who are pay
billions only to travel on unsafe roads and
bridges.”
State Sen. Hugh T. Farley said, "many of the
roads and bridges throughout Upstate New
York are in great need of repair and improvement.
For the health of our local economies,
as well as the safety of motorists, it is essential
that we make the necessary infrastructure
improvements to maintain and improve our
transportation system. It is also essential, and
a matter of fairness, that any transportation
investments occur throughout the entire state,
not just in one region."
"It is critical that we make smart investments
in our infrastructure throughout Upstate
New York, where everyday commuters
and families are traveling on roads and bridges
that are in desperate need of improvements.
We must advance a strong capital plan in this
year's budget and renew the parity that used to
exist between upstate roads and bridges and
the mass transit systems downstate. Investing
in our infrastructure will create jobs, protect
taxpayer dollars, and improve the safety of
our communities," said Sen. George Amedore.
"The New York State Conference of Operating
Engineers strongly supports fair and full
infrastructure funding throughout the entire
state. State roads and bridges are in desperate
need of repair," said Marina O'Donnell. "We
need to rebuild our battered roads and failing
bridges to make New Yorkers safer and create
good local jobs here in the Capital District and
throughout the state."
Greg Biryla, executive director of Unshackle
Upstate said, "As the leading voice for
upstate taxpayers and employers, we're proud
to join Rebuild NY Now's call for fair transportation
investment. The upstate economy
and its quality of life are reliant upon safe
and dependable infrastructure yet in almost
every upstate community from Buffalo to
Binghamton, costly water main breaks and
road closures have become all too common.
All New Yorkers should have confidence in
their local infrastructure and upstate projects
deserve adequate funding."
Rebuild NY Now is a partnership of supporters
seeking to raise public awareness
about the issues impacting the state's infrastructure.
The coalition engages federal and
state elected officials to support public policies
that promote safe roads, bridges, schools,
hospitals, and other vital infrastructure.