Will Trump's infrastructure plan help fix LI roads and bridges?

<p>The Trump administration&rsquo;s infrastructure plan has local officials concerned about who will pay for those projects.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 12, 2018, 8:12 PM

Updated 2,271 days ago

Share:

From bridges and overpasses to roads and highways, there's no shortage of transportation projects on Long Island that need attention. But the Trump administration’s infrastructure plan has local officials concerned about who will pay for those projects.
President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled his long-awaited plan, a $1.5 trillion proposal that seeks to fulfill a number of his campaign goals. But it relies heavily on state and local governments to produce much of the funding.
Traditionally, the federal government has picked up as much as 80 percent of the cost of major highway projects, with state and local governments picking up the rest of the tab. But President Trump is proposing nearly the opposite by calling for Washington's share to come way down, and for the bulk of the projects to be paid for by local governments and the private sector.
But many experts say that's just not feasible here on the Island. And some Long Island officials are afraid that if the federal government contributes less to local highway projects, tolls may have to be considered to make up the difference.
"If you look at the airports, we're seeing some success -- JFK, LaGuardia -- because the airlines themselves are investing, they’re making money," says Marc Herbst, of the LI Contractors Association. "But who would want to invest in a road unless you put a toll on there? What's the revenue stream for the private sector to get involved? Some projects definitely work, others may not."
Herbst says the president's plan also steers most of Washington's money to rural areas of the country, and relies on local governments to pay most of the cost of bridge and highway projects.
"They're funding rural areas and not looking at the areas in most need -- the urban, Northeast, Rust Belt sections of the country with the oldest infrastructure and the most immediate need for repairs," he says.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says Trump's plan would put unsustainable burdens on local government and calls it a "plan to appease his political allies, not to rebuild the country."
Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:13
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments