Coronavirus Won’t Stop Broome County Road Projects

Broome County has had to look at some tough choices given a projected $15-million dollar budget deficit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown putting the brakes on income like sales tax revenues and casino payments.

The County is continuing with plans for milling and paving or oil and chipping 27.67 miles of road using a combination of local dollars and New York State Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funds.

County Executive Jason Garnar and Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Highway Division Susan Brown June 17 announced residents deserve and expect roads to be kept up.

Each week’s scheduled roadwork projects will be posted at www.gobroomecounty.com..

New York State and local governments like Broome County are watching Washington for movement on another stimulus package.  The anticipated fourth COVID-19 assistance package is expected to contain emergency aid for the governments that are now broke as a result of loss of revenue and the huge costs of dealing with the coronavirus. 

 Those costs include everything from support for medical services, acquiring personal protective equipment and paying for coronavirus testing to maintaining transportation, police, education and other services.