LOCKPORT — State Sen. Rob Ortt, along with Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, Assemblyman Paul Bologna, and representatives from FAIR, called for the continuation of State Touring Routes funding, and for municipalities receiving funding, to fully utilize it during a press conference at the City of Lockport’s DPW facility on Monday.
The State Touring Route program was designed to provide capital funds to municipalities for the construction and repair of vital infrastructure including highways, bridges and other transportation facilities.
In 2020, the New York State Legislature created the State Touring Route program to provide additional financial support to cities, towns and villages based on mileage of state touring routes they are responsible for maintaining — prior to this program it was the obligation of the municipality to pay for these repairs or improvements. Funding is based on the amount of miles in a municipality and has been funded in the state budget since the program’s inception.
This program is different from CHIPS funding in that not all municipalities qualify for funding, but it is similar in that STR operates as a reimbursement for money spent by municipalities. Reimbursement is eligible for costs related to repairs and construction of roads, bridges/culverts, railroad crossings, traffic control devices, lighting, and more.
One of the biggest issues with the program is municipalities not being able to fully utilize the funds available.
“Based on the underutilization of the State Touring Route Program, some of my colleagues are considering axing this important funding,” Ortt said Monday. “For instance, in my senate district alone, nearly $34 million is available to the municipalities that qualify for this program, which remains out of the current funding. This is millions of dollars that should be put toward repairing our roads for commuters and if we need to make changes to the current program allowing for the full utilization of this money, we should as it will be to the benefit of our communities.”
Added Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, “The State Touring Route program is a critical lifeline for local governments that are responsible for maintaining designated tourism routes with limited local resources. When this funding goes unused, it puts the entire program at risk and shortchanges taxpayers who depend on safe, well-maintained infrastructure. We need to ensure municipalities have both the flexibility and the support necessary to fully utilize these funds so our roads, bridges, and transportation systems get the repairs they deserve.”
Assemblyman Paul Bologna said State Touring Route and CHIPS funding are critical to maintaining winter-battered roads, bridges and infrastructure.
“When State Touring Route dollars go underutilized,” he said, “it weakens the argument for continued investment — especially because local governments are best positioned to utilize these funds more efficiently and effectively than state entities. Local government knows what the community needs and where the funding would be best spent.”
There is an effort underway to reach out to local governments to help them better understand the program and hopefully work with them to advance road and bridge projects using these funds, said Brad Buyers, coordinator of the FAIR group, composed of transportation contractors and suppliers that advocate for addressing infrastructure needs.
“(FAIR) was instrumental in getting the STR funding put in place and we want to see our communities take full advantage of the program,” he said.
Ortt said he has offered to meet with stakeholders in these municipalities or facilitate meetings with transportation experts who can provide guidance in meeting program requirements and spending STR funds properly.