The Hidden Cost of New York’s Crumbling Roads
We could cite statistics showing New York’s roads and bridges rank among the worst in the nation. But numbers don’t capture what New Yorkers experience every day.
They experience the pothole that blows out a tire on the morning commute. The cracked rim after hitting a rough stretch of pavement. The unexpected trip to the mechanic that wasn’t in the family budget. A replacement tire can cost several hundred dollars. Add a wheel alignment—another $200 to $300—assuming there’s no suspension damage. Suddenly, one bad stretch of road can cost a household $600 to $1,000. Indeed, the national transportation research group TRIP issued a report in January that pegged the cost to New Yorkers of poor road and bridge conditions at a staggering $40.3 BILLION annually.
For many families, that’s a serious hit at a time when budgets are already stretched by higher energy bills, rising car insurance premiums, and stubbornly high grocery prices. Yet, all too often they are the lucky ones. New York’s poor road surface conditions contribute to the thousands of vehicular accidents happening annually.
This is why transportation funding isn’t an abstract issue. It’s an affordability issue and a safety issue. That’s why the Rebuild NY Now coalition—business, labor and local governments—is urging the Governor and legislative leaders to include an additional $950 million for core state DOT road and bridge projects and $250 million for local roads and bridges in this year’s enacted state budget.
The need is clear.
However, under the state’s current fiscal plan, only a fraction of the revenues generated by motorists goes toward maintaining and repairing the roads and bridges they use every day. Meanwhile, construction costs have surged. The price of asphalt, steel, concrete, fuel, and heavy equipment have climbed sharply, with construction inflation far outpacing general inflation.
The reality is simple: the same dollar today buys far less than it did just a few years ago. In this environment, holding transportation funding flat is effectively a funding cut.
We made important progress last year with the addition of $800 million to fill the hole blown in the capital plan by inflation and material cost escalation for that year. We applaud Governor Hochul for including that important investment in her Executive Budget, as well as the Senate and Assembly for advancing and ultimately approving it. That additional funding will allow for the paving of more than 2,000 additional lane miles. That’s a win for New York’s drivers and economy—but it literally addresses only one year of capital program. New York’s poor conditions make it clear that alone is not enough.
What’s not manageable is continued deterioration.
When maintenance is delayed, conditions worsen. Small repairs become major ones. Preventive maintenance becomes expensive reconstruction. Delaying investment doesn’t save money—it drives up costs.
This request comes down to three things: affordability, safety, and fiscal responsibility.
New Yorkers shouldn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket because the roads they rely on every day have been allowed to crumble.
The responsible choice is clear: invest in our roads and bridges now.
Mike Elmendorf is the President & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State (AGC NYS) and Rebuild NY Now
James Dussing, President of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH) and Highway Superintendent for the Town of Clarence, Erie County.
William Geary, President of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association (NYSCHSA) and the Commissioner of Public Works for Erie County
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