Crumbling New York City roads and bridges are deflating the wallets of city drivers, according to a report released last week.
The report, released by the General Contractors Association of New York (GCA), AAA of New York and TRIP, a national transportation research organization, was made public at an Astoria auto parts shop.
According to the report, a third of the city’s bridges are structurally deficient, and the city’s roads and bridges are woefully underfunded. This neglect, the report continues, is costing city drivers thousands of dollars per year in traffic accidents, additional vehicle operating costs and congestion-related delays.
Aside from putting a dent in bank accounts, poor road conditions also have a negative impact on the nationwide economy. Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP, said that neglected roadways hamper mobility and impede the region’s economic development.
“In order to improve the state’s transportation system, ease the burden on drivers and kick start New York’s economy, transportation investment must be a priority at the state and federal level,” said Wilkins.
In October, the New York State Department of Transportation released a proposed five-year transportation capital program, recommending $25.8 billion infrastructure investment over the next five years in state and local highways and bridges.
The proposal was rejected by Governor David A. Paterson for lack of funding.
Senator Martin Malave Dilan, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said that he would not vote for Paterson’s budget on April 1 if it does not include a plan for the funding of roads and bridges in New York State.
“The safety of the public should be of the utmost importance to all of us,” said Dilan. “We must make a commitment to the people of New York State that with the next budget, we will have highway and bridge funding for the entire state.”
Paterson’s office did not return requests of comment.
Robert Sinclair Jr., AAA New York’s manager of media relations, said that the nation’s transportation system has been taken for granted and because of this, America’s competitiveness in the global economy is lagging.
“New York’s roads, bridges and transit system are crumbling,” said Sinclair. “Lack of funding means fewer jobs for New Yorkers, less revenue for our state and less opportunity for our future.”
At the report’s release, automotive technician Frank Vozos demonstrated the kind of damage poor road conditions can inflict on the cars that travel on them.
“Poor road conditions cause serious damage to cars,” said Vozos. “This includes damage to wheel and steering alignment, tires, suspension, axles, tie rods, bumpers and underbelly of cars.”
While repairs such as these are short-term fixes, GCA Executive Director Denise Richardson believes that drivers and the State would benefit from a long term investment in road repair.
“We understand that there’s a budget crisis,” said Richardson. “But investing in the State’s infrastructure is a long term investment.”
