As of late, infrastructure funding has been a contentious issue between priorities regarding downstate projects and necessary repairs for our upstate community. Each year, the North Country must go to bat for its residents and fight for every dollar to ensure funding is available to provide safe roads and bridges for our families. This month, my colleagues in the Legislature were able to chalk up a victory by securing $9.5 million in funding for repairs to local bridges in the Central New York and North Country regions.

Thanks to an award from the Department of Transportation through the state’s Bridge New York program, Lewis County will receive an award of $1.81 million for repairs to the County Road 41 Bridge across Whetstone Creek. Other bridges that have been selected to receive funds include the Higginsville Road Bridge over the Erie/Barge Canal in Verona, the Roberts Road Bridge over Little Black Creek in Remsen and the Woodhull Road Bridge over Woodhull Creek in Forestport. These projects have been awarded $4.75 million, $521,000 and $447,000 respectively. The funds are a welcome sight to the residents of our community who have been inconvenienced for years by having to take alternate routes on their travels.

It is rewarding to see the efforts of my colleagues in the Assembly and our counterparts in the Senate pay off, and to see the state making an investment in our community. At times, it can be an uphill battle getting the Legislature to understand the issues and concerns of a community that many of them aren’t familiar with. These victories make the struggle worth it in the end, and the opportunity to give back to the residents of my district is what this job is all about.

We must work to build off this success and continue to advocate for our fair share of funding as this year’s budget negotiations begin. I want to thank Sen. Griffo for his efforts on this particular issue, and I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues in the Assembly, local officials and especially my counterparts in the Senate to ensure our community receives its fair share of funding.

I want to hear your thoughts on infrastructure in our community, these bridge projects and any other legislative matters that come to mind. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or calling my office at 493-3909.