Pothole Money for Cortlandt, Peekskill in New NY Budget

CORTLANDT, NY — Although we were spared a harsh winter, you wouldn't know it by the state of the roads. It's not just the potholes. Some local roads have patches on top of patches dating back years.

So State Sen. Terrence Murphy is pleased to announce that there's $4 million more in the recently-passed state budget for road repair in the 40th District. To be exact: $4,428,212.29 from the New York State Department of Transportation. And Buchanan, Cortlandt and Peekskill are getting a big chunk of that between them.

"If our roads crumble, so does our ability to attract new business to the Hudson Valley. As our towns and villages continue to grow, we need to make sure our roads are safe and trouble-free," Murphy said in a statement announcing the money.

The money is part of the DOT's Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR) and Local PAVE-NY 2017-18 budget.

Westchester County will get $3,484,677.68; Putnam County will receive $878,593.85, and Dutchess County will get $64,940.76.

It costs roughly a million dollars to pave six miles of road, explained Michael Simone, superintendent of the Carmel Highway Department. " "It could take thirty or forty years to pave all the local roads, so any funding that expedites that process is a huge help. And residents are happy because the money they sent to Albany now comes back to them in form of a better, safer roadway."

Peter Sciliano, superintendent for the Mt. Pleasant Highway Department added, "We pave at least four miles of road each year. The additional funds will literally help us get further down the road. We were lucky that the weather was mild up until February. However, the freezing rain and frozen ground created as many potholes as last year. We now have ability to do more for our residents."

The breakdown for municipalities in the 40th Senate District portions of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties is as follows:

"We are very grateful to Senator Murphy for his work on behalf of the people of Yorktown," said Dave Paganelli, Highway Supervisor for the Town of Yorktown. "The additional funds he was able get will go a long way toward solving some of our paving issues."

PHOTO via Sen. Murphy's Office