By PETE KLEIN

Express News Staff

LAKE PLEASANT - Local roads matter, but how much is the question.

Hamilton County Super-intendent of Highways Tracy Eldridge says funding for local roads and bridges is a bit uncertain, while funding for state roads and bridges will be cut to help pay for a new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Eldridge says the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) is in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget for 2012/13, and the county and towns can expect the same amount this year as last, but “There is no increase in the budget. It’s the same amount as last year.”

With that somewhat good news, Eldridge warned, “But what’s in the budget depends upon how much money the state gets from the federal government.”

If the fed doesn’t pony up, it could be less.

Eldridge also says the governor is calling for the 11 regions of the state Department of Transportation to be consolidated into six, creating more uncertainty over funding for roads and bridges.

“The rural regions are concerned the consolidation will hurt them,” Eldridge says. “No one at the state is talking about where the lines will be drawn.”

Hamilton County is in Region 2, based out of Utica.

According to the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association, “Local roads and bridges account for 87 percent of the roads, 52 percent of the bridges and 48 percent of the vehicle mileage logged in New York state.”

As far as maintaining state roads and bridges is concerned, all regions are expected to take a hit due to plans to build a new Tappan Zee Bridge at an estimated cost of $21 billion or more. Eldridge said the plan is to take some money from each DOT region to help fund the project.

Locally, Eldridge is trying to decide which roads to repair and which to maintain this coming summer construction season. “It’s tough to decide with limited money for road work. You don’t want to see the good roads go bad or the bad roads get worse,” he said.

When the county’s Highway, Solid Waste and Buildings Committee met Monday, Jan. 23, Eldridge floated the idea of possibly “banking” some money in future budgets to build up a fund for bridge replacements.

Board of Supervisors Chairman William Farber said he understands the need and the merits of the idea but, “I worry it would provide an excuse for the state and the feds not to do their fair share.”

Under maintenance, Eldridge is working on a list of summer building projects that could include expanding the lower parking lot at the county seat in Lake Pleasant, resolving the lot’s drainage issues, grinding down stumps left near the annex there when some large pine trees were removed and applying topsoil and grass seed to cover the scars.

Other plans in the works include finalizing the solid waste draft plan and sending it to the town boards for review. There is also a plan to seek requests for proposals to do a study for shared services between the county, towns, village and DOT.

“This is a very preliminary idea. We would look for grants to do the RFP and the shared services would be with willing partners only,” Eldridge said.