Karben: "region is regressing"

New York State should allocate additional state funding to properly maintain the Mid-Hudson region's transportation infrastructure, Assemblyman Ryan Karben of Rockland County said yesterday. His call comes as New York University released a study -- “Choices at a Critical Junction: New York's Mobility and Highway Infrastructure Needs for 2005-2010."

According to the study, pavement conditions on state roads in the Mid-Hudson region have worsened by 11 percent since 2000, while pavement conditions in New York City improved by 50 percent and in Long Island by 40 percent, signaling a 60 point performance gap between the Mid-Hudson region and New York City. Karben also said that since 2000, bridge conditions in the Mid-Hudson region deteriorated by 22 percent while bridge conditions in New York City and Long Island improved.

"When it comes to transportation infrastructure, the Mid-Hudson region is regressing while other regions are progressing," said Karben. "We need to make certain that resources are made available to help us steer in the right direction when it comes to our roads and bridges."

The Westchester County approach to the Tappan Zee Bridge underwent a recent major upgrade

The Mid-Hudson region includes Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties.

The study, which was prepared by the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management, concluded that absent substantial increases in state funding, bridges and highways in New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson region will fall into disrepair. According to the study, further deterioration will lead to greater costs in the long term which would be required to repair and replace our roads and bridges.