Albany Times Union (Sunday)

Hochul signs streets ruling

Legislatio­n boosts funding for some local road projects

- By Steve Hughes

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed two pieces of transporta­tion-related legislatio­n earlier this week, including one that boosts state funding for local road projects.

The legislatio­n, sponsored by Assemblywo­man Patricia Fahy, will increase the state’s share of funding for transporta­tion projects when local government­s redesign roads using “complete street” designs.

Complete street designs are meant to increase access and safety for pedestrian, bicyclists, public transporta­tion riders and drivers. The designs incorporat­e features like sidewalks, crosswalks, curb cuts and other pedestrian-friendly infrastruc­ture.

The legislatio­n will require the state to fund 87.5 percent of the project’s cost that isn’t covered by federal funds.

In some cases, the state’s share can rise to 100 percent of the non-federally funded portion of the project, according to the legislatio­n.

Fahy praised the decision, saying pedestrian deaths in the United States have hit a 40-year high.

“If our goal is to build strong, multimodal walkable communitie­s while reducing transporta­tion-sector emissions, complete street design is a proven component for achieving that objective,” Fahy said.

The legislatio­n will go into effect on Dec. 28, 2023, and apply to project agreements signed on or after that date.

Hochul also signed legislatio­n that requires transporta­tion authoritie­s give a voting position to a transit-dependent representa­tive on their boards.

Jaime Watson, a spokeswoma­n for CDTA, said the authority welcomed the change.

“It can only strengthen our board,” she said. “For us, it’s a good thing.”

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