Officials approve road work

Rensselaer County eyes about $3.25M in work to improve roads

TROY, N.Y. >> The Rensselaer County Legislature recently unanimously approved resolutions for a major effort to improve roads across the county.

County officials said the approximately $3.25 million in road work is the biggest allocation for road work in the county in a decade, and will help improve many roads.

The exact number of miles of county roads to be repaired or improved will be set during the coming weeks.

“We are at the early stages of this work for 2017, and look forward to paving a lot of miles to improve as many roads as possible,” Legislature Chairman Stan Brownell said. “This is important work, and we are excited to see it get started.”

The Legislature helped boost the road improvement work for 2017 by contributing $200,000 in legislative savings to the effort. The legislative savings was incorporated as part of the legislative passage of the 2017 county budget.

“Our 2017 budget calls for a significant investment into our county’s roads that builds upon our previous efforts to ensure our infrastructure meets the needs and expectations of our residents and businesses,” Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino said. “I want to thank the county Legislature for their support and contributions to this investment as well as the state of New York for their increased support through the PAVE NY program. I also want to let the public know that we in county government are committed to providing the services our residents and businesses depend on in the most cost-effective manner possible. “

Legislators said the road improvement effort

is needed as a number of roads were battered by severe winter weather in previous years.

“Our county road system is one of the most important services we provide as a county,” said Majority Leader Ken Herrington, chair of the Legislature’s Public Works Committee. “The Legislature is glad to see the investment for road repair and improvement increasing in 2017.”

“Some of our roads have been banged up by some tough winters and are in need of attention,” added Legislator Kelly Hoffman. “This will be money wellspent at a time when improvements are needed.”

Legislators are also happy to see these improvements happening now before the roads continue to get worse and cost the county even more money.

“Rensselaer County’s roads need maintenance now,” Legislator Mark Fleming said. “Investing in our infrastructure pays immediate dividends in increased safety, and neglect always costs more later on.”

Legislator Rob Bayly, a member of the Legislature’s Public Works Committee, also expressed how these road improvements will be beneficial for businesses throughout the county.

“The work helps motorist and pedestrian safety, ease of travel and any businesses that rely on our roads to provide goods and services,” Bayly said. “This road improvement work will hopefully help encourage new business and job creation in our county.”

Nicholas Buonanno can be reached at 290-3941.