Residents of Montgomery, Crawford and Region 8 grow weary of hazardous road conditions on Route 208, 17K, and 211, state routes riddled with cracks and potholes that have left many with damaged vehicles and headaches. A few supervisors from Northern Orange County hope to rectify these issues by requesting more funding from New York State before the budget review wraps up.

Montgomery Supervisor Steve Brescia, during his board’s April 17 meeting, announced that he would meet with Supervisors Charles Carnes, George Serrano, Gil Piaquadio, and Senator Rob Rolison at his office this Thursday, April 25 to discuss plans to secure funding. He presented a letter written by Carnes that the group will send to Governor Kathy Hokul and Assemblyman Brian Maher on the matter.

“As lawmakers continue to work on the state budget, there is one issue they are certainly confronted with firsthand: New York’s crumbling infrastructure,” Brescia read. “Whether it’s a massive pothole, a cracked road, or an uneven pavement, the roads and bridges in the Hudson Valley and across the state are in desperate need of repair.”

To support the group’s proposal, the letter includes factual evidence on road infrastructure in New York and Region 8, asserting that the state ranks the lowest nationally for road and bridge conditions.
“In a recent study, 43 percent of New York State’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and Region 8 has the third highest cost for repairs, lost time and fuel,” Brescia read. “In addition to state roads, local governments are responsible for maintaining nearly 86% of the 112,500-mile, statewide highway system.”

“It’s been estimated that nearly 3.5 million full-time jobs in New York and everything from tourism and agriculture are dependent on the state’s transportation network, including reliable roads and bridges,” Brescia said. “That’s why we are urging the governor and the state legislators to act in the best interest of our residents and develop a funding plan that will pave the way to better New York for both state and local roads.”