Guya Scopas Bethuel Syracuse, N.Y (NCC News) -The Onondaga County Department of Transportation said it is always facing budget challenges with its road infrastructure projects.
The department works in partnership with Syracuse on several projects. One of these projects is the Loop the Lake Trail project which it has implemented with the city. It also partners with Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council on other projects.
The Department’s Commissioner Martin E. Voss said they have always had budget challenges despite carrying on with road reconstruction. “The biggest challenge I face budget wise is getting enough money for trucks and equipment because as you can imagine it’s not just building the road but also caring for them during the winter,” said Voss.
Voss said the local legislature has been very good in supporting the department’s intermediate projects adding that he always told them that if he receives $100 million, his office would still properly spend it on road work.
Voss said he would support any move to increase the appropriations for roads and bridges. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh’s 2020 budget proposal recommends an increase in the appropriation for road infrastructure.
The county’s Department of transportation finances its road reconstruction projects through contributions from the federal government, the state and the sponsoring locality. The Federal Transportation Improvement Program contributes 80 percent for federal aid projects. The state contributes 15 percent and the sponsoring locality contributes 5 percent.
The department is working around the clock to complete 60 miles of road reconstruction before the end of the summer.
