The Construction Industry Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley (CIC) has praised the State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul for including additional money for road repair projects in the new Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget.
The budget includes just over $4 billion for the Department of Transportation Core Program and the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program known as CHIPS.
It represents an increase of $800 million in funding for the Core Program and an extra $50 million for CHIPS.
CIC took the position that the boost in funding for local roads will have a tangible impact on communities throughout the Hudson Valley. For example, a community like Ossining is projected to see an 8% to 9% increase in state funding for vital local road repairs.
According to CIC, the increased funding will not only improve road conditions for residents and businesses but also will create and sustain jobs within the construction industry throughout the region.
“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,” said John Cooney Jr., executive director of CIC. “This significant commitment will allow us to make real progress in improving the safety and reliability of our infrastructure throughout the Hudson Valley.”
CIC said the landmark investment comes at a critical time for the region, particularly within the New York State Department of Transportation’s Region 8, which the CIC serves. Region 8, encompassing Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster counties, faces the most challenging road conditions in the entire state, according to CIC.
The increased allocations directly address the inflationary pressures that have significantly impacted the cost of road projects.
The adopted budget earmarks a total of $3.4 billion for the CORE program, representing a 37% increase over the previous year. This additional funding will enable the state DOT to complete crucial projects outlined in its current five-year plan, which is now in its fourth year.
The CHIPS program will receive a total of $648 million, an 8.4% increase from the prior year. This boost in funding for local roads will have a tangible impact on communities throughout the Hudson Valley. For example, a community like Ossining is projected to see an 8% to 9% increase in state funding for vital local road repairs.
The CIC emphasized that this increased funding will not only improve road conditions for residents and businesses but will also create and sustain vital jobs within the construction industry throughout the region.
CIC is a nonprofit trade association representing contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other firms in the construction industry.
