| Senator Thomas W. Libous (R-I-C: Binghamton), Chair of the Transportation Committee, today outlined the growing number of bridges in New York State rated fair or poor and announced critical, bi-partisan legislation designed to reform bridge funding in New York State.
Following last week’s tragic I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota, Senator Libous immediately called upon Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn to undertake a reassessment of the State’s bridges.
A May 2007 DOT report shows bridges declined Statewide and in each region of the State from 2004 to 2006. In 2004, 2,085 of New York’s 7,604 State bridges were rated fair or poor, yet in 2006, this number increased to 2,206.
In order to direct more funding to bridge construction and repair, Senator Libous announced he will soon introduce the BRIDGE (Bridge and Road Investment and Dedicated Fund Guaranteed Enforcement) Reform Act to fix the State’s Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF).
When the Dedicated Fund was created in 1991, its purpose was to spend money on reconstruction, replacement, reconditioning and preservation of highways and bridges.
Today, the fund now has dozens of uses and spends more than $750 million annually on expenses not directly related to its original intent, including Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Operations and salaries and DOT Snow and Ice Removal.
“The Dedicated Fund was created to fix bridges and roads and make New Yorkers safer,” said Libous. “Sadly, much of that dedication has been lost in recent years. My legislation would reform the Fund and create a transparent funding stream for bridge and road investment.”
“Most importantly, it’s an attempt to keep our families safe,” Libous added.
Libous’ bill will amend the State Finance Law to create a five year phase-out of non-bridge and road expenses and prohibit these uses thereafter.
“From the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City to the Dunn Memorial Bridge in Albany to the 4 Grand Island Bridges on I-190 in Buffalo to the Route 7 bridge over the Susquehanna River in my District, there is a growing trend of bridges throughout the State. With 29% of the State’s bridges being rated fair or poor, we can’t continue to tolerate dedicated bridge money being spent on DMV Operations or other non-capital costs. We must to take action before tragedy strikes here in New York,” noted Libous.
According to a December 2005 report by the State Comptroller, more than half (55%) of the Dedicated Fund disbursements went toward capital projects in 1994-1995, but only about a quarter (28%) of disbursements went toward capital projects in 2004-2005.
“Sadly, as we found out in Minnesota last week, infrastructure investments are vital to the safety of our families. It’s my hope that the Assembly and the Governor will join me in reforming the Dedicated Fund through the BRIDGE Reform Act,” said Libous.
Reforming the DHBTF has been a priority for Senator Libous and the Senate Majority for two years during Budget negotiations. While they succeeded in securing a $20 million offload in 2006, the Assembly and the Governor wouldn’t agree to any further offloads this year.
Reform of the Dedicated Fund also has a number of supporters in private industry. A.J. Castlebuono, President and CEO of the Associated of General Contractors of New York State, said, “The tragic collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minnesota must serve as a wake-up call for New Yorkers that routinely take their aging infrastructure for granted. With the introduction of this legislation, Senator Libous has answered that call by providing fiscal reform to the State’s primary source of revenue for capital projects, the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund.”
Dr. James Melius, of the New York State Laborers and President of the New York Roadway Improvement Coalition noted, “Senator Libous’ bill is an important first step in rededicating our so-called “dedicated fund” to its original purpose – continued investment in our State’s transportation infrastructure. New York State faces a future shortfall in transportation infrastructure funding from both State and Federal sources. We need a long-term commitment to address this shortfall in order to build and maintain a system that is vital to New York State’s continued economic well being.”
"The New York State County Highway Superintendents Association has consistently urged that state officials to provide more resources to address the serious deteriorating conditions of our highways and bridges," said Frederick Buck, President of NYSCHSA and Commissioner of the Department of Public Works for Essex County. "Senator Libous is to be commended for his steadfast commitment to increasing funding in the state budget each year for county bridges and highways. The Senator understands the importance of insuring the integrity of the State Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund and his legislation will help to provide a more viable source of capital funding.”
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