The Construction Industry Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley (CIC) has expressed its appreciation towards the State Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul for allocating additional funds for road repair initiatives in the newly approved Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget.
This budget features over $4 billion dedicated to the Department of Transportation’s Core Program and the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, commonly referred to as CHIPS. The funding includes an increase of $800 million for the Core Program and an additional $50 million for CHIPS.
CIC has noted that this surge in funding for local roads will significantly benefit communities across the Hudson Valley. For instance, Ossining is expected to experience an 8% to 9% increase in state funding, critical for local road repairs. According to CIC, these enhancements are not only essential for improving road conditions but also vital for creating and maintaining jobs within the regional construction sector.
John Cooney Jr., executive director of CIC, remarked, “In a challenging financial year, it is particularly gratifying that the governor and legislators recognized the need for additional funding that keeps pace with inflation and enables us to engage in a robust road repair program.” He highlighted that this substantial financial commitment will lead to meaningful improvements in the safety and reliability of the region’s infrastructure.
The timing of this investment is crucial, particularly for the New York State Department of Transportation’s Region 8, which includes Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster counties, all facing severe road conditions.
The budget allocates a total of $3.4 billion for the Core Program, marking a 37% rise compared to the previous year. This additional funding will allow the state DOT to carry out key projects identified in its ongoing five-year plan, which is currently in its fourth year. Meanwhile, the CHIPS program will receive $648 million, reflecting an 8.4% increase from last year.
The CIC emphasized that these allocations are crucial to combating inflation that has impacted the cost of road projects significantly, thus highlighting the positive implications for both infrastructure and employment in the construction industry throughout the region.
With continued investment in infrastructure, communities can look forward to safer roadways and a more stable economic environment fostered by job creation within the construction sector.