State funds to help ongoing Rockville Centre road work

Nearly $420,000 in state funding will go toward upgrading Rockville Centre roads, officials announced last month, as the village is in the midst of repairing streets as part of its annual road program.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman Brian Curran helped secure the funding, which came from three sources in the state budget: the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, or CHIPS, awarded $297,000; PAVE NY awarded about $68,000; and Extreme Weather Recovery awarded $54,000 in funding. The programs are devised to assist local governments with routine road maintenance on local streets.

“The quality of roads is the number one issue I hear about from my constituents,” Kaminsky said. “Every day, someone tells me how subpar streets and highways harm their quality of life. This funding will go toward vital repairs to fix our roads, while also easing the financial burden on Long Islanders, who already pay exorbitant amounts in taxes. Further, these infrastructure investments will help create jobs and stimulate local economies.”

The village touts its road program, which pledges to repair and upgrade about three miles of roads, curbs, aprons and water mains per year. Since Mayor Francis X. Murray took office seven years ago, the village has rebuilt about 20 miles of road.

“With 50 miles of roadway, the Village of Rockville Centre is committed to maintaining and improving our roadways for residents and visitors,” Murray said. “Programs like CHIPS, PAVE NY, and Extreme Weather Recovery funds are critical in allowing local municipalities like the Village of Rockville Centre to maintain and improve our infrastructure without increasing the property tax burden."