Officials, residents call for more state funding for infrastructure in Westchester

A number of officials and community members are calling on the state to increase the infrastructure budget in Westchester County.
As the governor prepares to propose his next state budget, elected officials, community leaders and local businesses gathered Friday at local Teamsters 456 in Elmsford to call for funding for roads and bridges.
Supporters of the statewide campaign called "Rebuild New York Now,"  are urging the state to increase funding for its five-year infrastructure plan to $35 billion. That's up by about 27% compared to the previous plan, which runs out this year.
“We have to prioritize and keep up because if we don’t, the cost is twice as much if we don’t maintain,” says Teamsters Local 456 President Louis Picani.
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti brought awareness to many issues like bridges too close for comfort and potholes.
“Potholes are dangerous to cars and they could be fatal to people who drive on motorcycles," says Abinanti.
Officials say they’re requesting more funds in the budget for the 2020 infrastructure due to the previous budget not mirroring the number of needed projects.
Ahead of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget address on Jan. 21, it remains unclear where he will direct funds.