Rep. Dan Maffei's Infrastructure Plan

8/12/2019 Rep. Dan Maffei's Infrastructure Plan

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Building Central New Yorks

Future

Making Smart Investments in Infrastructure

That Strengthen Our Economy

and the Middle Class


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Central New York is the best place to live, work, raise a family, and open a business due in large part to

its rich resources, quality of living, and geographic location. Our community has access to some of the

cleanest water in the country and offers an abundance of parks, trails and scenic landscape. Our region

also benets from a network of highways and bridges that facilitate travel between our urban, suburban,

and rural communities, whether commuting for work or traveling for pleasure.

Despite these advantages, the lack of maintenance and investment in our structural framework hasaffected our regions ability to grow and thrive at the pace it could. Our infrastructure challenges include

crumbling roads and bridges, lack of access to high-speed internet in some of our communities,

decaying water infrastructure, and the need for more efcient freight and passenger transportation

options into and out of Central New York.

Over the past few months, I have met with stakeholders from across the region to discuss our collective

challenges, as well as the unique obstacles facing individual communities. If we want to grow our

economy and create jobs, we need to get serious about making important investments in our

infrastructure. By partnering with each other and working together, we can ensure that Central

New York maintains the standard of living it offers while also remaining competitive by meeting the

needs of its residents.

The information contained in this report is an account of what individuals who participated in the

Infrastructure Roundtable events told me about what we can do to build on our strengths and keep

Central New York moving forward.

Sincerely,

Representative Dan Maffei

Building Central New Yorks Future

Representative

Dan Maffei

Making Smart Investments in Infrastructure

That Strengthen Our Economy and the Middle Class


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Representative Dan Maffei | Building Central New Yorks Future

I. Overview

Infrastructure is an often overlooked factor in its affect on our quality of life, including economic

development in our region. If we want to strengthen the middle class and create jobs in our area,

we need to have the resources and delivery systems in place to meet the needs of businesses in

our community, including water, transportation, bridges and roadways, and high-speed internet

access for all. The strength of our region is largely due to our high-quality standard of living,

which includes consistent access to clean water, a reliable energy grid, an ease of transportation

with little to no trafc congestion, and abundant beautiful natural resources, including our lakes

and parks for recreation. We need to protect and expand on these assets, which requires an

investment in our infrastructure. Through thoughtful discussion, strong partnerships, and a

commonsense approach, we can ensure that our community remains a place where every Central

New Yorker has a fair shot at a quality of life like none other.

Rep. Maffei hosts an Infrastructure Roundtable atthe Port of Oswego with local ofcials andstakeholders from Oswego County.


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August 7th, 2013:Tour of the Port of Oswego Rep. Maffei and Rep. Richard Hanna (R-Barneveld)

tour the Port of Oswego and discuss ways to improve this important Central New York resource. Together,

Reps. Maffei and Hanna announce a renewed effort to pass a strong Water Resources Development Act and

bring critical support and infrastructure improvements to Central New York ports and the Great Lakes

region.

August 23rd, 2013:Grant Award for Oswego County Airport Rep. Maffei announces $1.5million in grant awards for the Oswego County Airport to acquire aircraft deicing equipment and upgrade

taxiways, lighting, and wiring throughout the airport.

October 22nd, 2013:Grant Award for the Port of Oswego Rep. Maffei and Rep. Hanna announce

a $192,000 federal grant for the Port of Oswego to construct a rail spur and additional rail car storage to

help accommodate the demands of increased rail trafc to the port.

February 18th, 2014:Onondaga County Infrastructure Roundtable Community leaders and

stakeholders gather at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse to discuss infrastructure in Onondaga County at

a roundtable convened by Rep. Maffei.

February 18th, 2014:Rural Broadband Symposium Rep. Maffei hosts a symposium with localand state ofcials, rural broadband experts, telecommunications executives, and other key stakeholders to

discuss ways to expand rural broadband access. This rural broadband symposium, which was included as a

recommendation in Rep. Maffeis education plan, builds on Rep. Maffeis work to strengthen the middle

class and expand economic opportunities in Central New York.

February 28th, 2014: Infrastructure Survey Released Rep. Maffei releases a survey to residents

and businesses across Central New York to solicit their input on the challenges facing local infrastructure

and ideas to improve the structural framework that supports our local communities. Over 450 people

respond to the survey.

March 1st, 2014:Visit Cayuga County Digester Rep. Maffei tours the Cayuga Regional Digester,

which breaks down biodegradable material to produce fuels as part of a regional renewable energy strategy.

March 1st, 2014:Cayuga County Infrastructure Roundtable Rep. Maffei meets with local

ofcials and other stakeholders to discuss infrastructure in Cayuga County.

April 15th, 2014:Fair Haven Sewer Project Rep. Maffei joins local leaders to celebrate the

completion of the Fair Haven sewer project in Cayuga County. During Rep. Maffeis rst term, he worked

with local leaders to push for critical funding for this important project.

April 24th, 2014:Cayuga County Economic Development Agency Luncheon Rep. Maffei

speaks to a group of business leaders about ways to improve the economy in Central New York, including

infrastructure development.

April 24th, 2014:Oswego County Infrastructure Roundtable Rep. Maffei hosts a roundtable on

infrastructure at the Port of Oswego with local Oswego County ofcials, university representatives, and

business owners.

June 5th, 2014:Grant Award for Syracuse Hancock Airport Rep. Maffei and Syracuse Mayor

Stephanie Miner announce over $1.8 million in federal funding for the construction of a new building to

house and protect snow removal equipment.


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III. InfrastructureRep. Maffeis Account From The Infrastructure Listening Tour Events

A. Making Infrastructure a Priority

B. Protecting and Promoting What We Have

C. Smart Infrastructure Investments

D.Incentivizing Collaboration Among Municipalities

A. MAKING INFRASTRUCTURE A PRIORITY

One of the challenges we have as a country is public attention and support

for maintaining our infrastructure. We hit the switch and the lights come

on, we ush and the waste goes away, we open the tap and out comes

water and wonder of wonders we expect that we can actually drink it. We

take our infrastructure largely for granted. Unfortunately, long term, wecant expect to have the same standard of living if we dont start investing

adequately in our infrastructure. Orrin B. Mac MacMurray, C&S Companies

One theme that emerged at the beginning of each roundtable discussion was the need for greater

public awareness. Whether the conversation turned to bridges, roadways, the power grid, or

water and sewer systems, it is clear that these systems are often taken for granted. Design,

maintenance, functionality, and safety are all important considerations for our local

infrastructure, but are often ignored unless there is a signicant interruption or failure.

If we are going to make infrastructure a priority for our region, we must raise awareness of the

essential role these networks play in our daily lives. Many of us are familiar with the

inconvenience of a detour during our morning commute, and despite our minor frustrations, we

always remain certain that the closure is only temporary. A large section of our community,

particularly in our urban communities, knows

the havoc a harsh winter can wreak on our

sewers and water mains. Despite the aging

systems, residents remain condent that the

repairs will be completed and water service

eventually restored.

Rep. Maffei meets with Wayne County stakeholdersat the Wayne County Rural Broadband Symposium.


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It is hard to imagine what the effect on our daily lives would be if we no longer had that certainty.

The reality is that with dwindling local resources and a lack of investment from other

government entities, we may be closer to that scenario than we realize. We need to foster an

ongoing dialogue to explore and appreciate these systems that create the quality of life we enjoy

in Central New York.

B. PROTECTING AND PROMOTING WHAT WE HAVE

Time is against us at this point. In the past, when there have been

budgetary concerns, infrastructure was a big ticket item that seemed

easy to back off of, and now weve backed off of it far too long. Now its

going to be difcult to catch up in a timeframe and in a scal way thats

manageable. Mark Nicotra, Supervisor of Town of Salina

One of Central New Yorks greatest assets is our access to clean water. There are many parts of

the country that face devastating droughts or must prioritize water consumption due to the

absence of a natural freshwater supply. We are fortunate in Central New York to be surrounded

by abundant water resources that help to dene our region. These include the Finger Lakes,

Oneida Lake, Lake Ontario, and Onondaga Lake, which continues to improve under a robust

redevelopment effort. We enjoy these regional assets for recreation, leisure, and for our drinking

water. Our access to water has also fostered economic development, bringing new industries and

jobs to our area. The regions abundant natural resources create an opportunity for us that few

other areas in the country can offer, and we must devote ourselves to their maintenance and

infrastructure.

Another asset that Central New York has is its geographic location in the region. We are within

driving distance of many metropolitan areas; including New York City, Boston, Washington DC,

Toronto, and Philadelphia, to name a few. That is why Syracuse is often referred to as the

Epicenter of the Northeast. Through targeted investments in transportation infrastructure, we

can capitalize on our proximity to these cities for both business and leisure travel. Large-scale

capital projects such as high-speed rail could open up a world of opportunities to current Central

New York residents while also attracting people who want our quality of life but need easy access

to larger metropolitan areas.


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C. SMART INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Weve all kind of bought into the fact that weve got to bear our

share locally for replacing older infrastructure, but we need some

help. We need some assistance. Marty Aman, Executive Director,

Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority

It is important that we realize the importance of investment, particularly in projects that have a

strong return on investment, as is the case with infrastructure. By deferring these repairs, we not

only discourage economic development and detract from our quality of life, but we create a

situation in which the cost for replacement down the road will far exceed the expense to repair

and modernize now. It is misguided to believe that by abandoning infrastructure, we are saving

money. That may be true in the short term, but the cost only increases the longer we wait.

Roads and Bridges

The Central New York region is an important hub for commerce for the East Coast and beyond.

Unfortunately, our roads and bridges are not equipped to accommodate major economic

expansion and we must do more to ensure that we modernize this important infrastructure. In

the four-county region that comprises the 24th District of New York, the U.S. Department of

Transportation has identied 340 bridges that are considered decient. That means that over

one-third of the bridges in this area are in poor condition because of deterioration or need to be

upgraded to safely support trafc. A 2013 study by the American Society of Civil Engineers also

found that 60 percent of the states roads are of poor or mediocre quality.

We must prioritize smart investments to facilitate long-term growth. The efforts to improve

structures like Interstate 81 have a major impact throughout the region. I have been clear

throughout this process that we must nd a consensus across communities this is truly one of

the most important decisions affecting the future of Central New York. Whatever we decide to

do, we must make sure that we are assessing our economic future and making a real investment

in the project that helps to grow our economy.

During the infrastructure roundtables I hosted throughout the region, business owners and

other community leaders all cited that we must create an environment for long-term economic

growth by updating our regions roads and bridges. Additionally, nearly everyone who respondedto my infrastructure survey reported that they relied on cars for transportation and recognized

the need for federal funding to update our highways. A common theme expressed by the

respondents was that we need to be thoughtful about what we do with I-81 and do what is right

for our region, without relying too heavily on what has been done in other areas.


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Airport

The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is vital to Central New Yorks economy and it is

critical we do all we can to modernize and expand this important economic asset. I heard from

many business leaders and experts on infrastructure about the importance of growing air travel

to and from Central New York so that our local business can grow and create more jobs.

Partnering with local leaders like Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, we announced over $6

million in investments to improve air travel in Syracuse last year alone. A number of survey

respondents indicated that they often travel to airports in Rochester or Buffalo to take advantage

of expanded destinations and lower fares. I am committed to working with local partners to

bring our families and business access to affordable and efcient air travel. We must continue to

do all we can to expand this valuable resource.

High-Speed Rail

Our region needs more transportation options like high-speed rail to give local businesses the

ability to travel more efciently across the East Coast. Making smart investments in high-speedrail makes our community even more attractive for businesses to invest by creating additional,

reliable, and cost-effective transportation. During our infrastructure roundtables, I heard time

and again from business and community leaders about new and innovative approaches to

transportation. While we must make investments locally in our roads and bridges, there was a

lot of discussion on expanding our transportation options. If we make the right decisions around

passenger rail, we can better connect the region with New York City and beyond. In Central New

York, we have major research universities, colleges, medical centers, and other important

businesses.

Additionally, many respondents to our infrastructuresurvey indicated that they use rail to travel to New

York City, Buffalo, and destinations in between.

The common complaint was that the train is too slow

and there are too many delays, making the travel

unreliable. Many also favored upgrades to high-speed

rail, increasing competition among transportation

options and making high-speed rail a more cost

efcient solution for travelers across the region.

PortsExpanding our local water infrastructure will provide a real boost to our regions economy and

create jobs across Central New York. It is critical that we do more for the Port of Oswego, which

supports thousands of jobs in the region. Working in a bipartisan way with Rep. Richard Hanna

and other partners, we are pushing for important initiatives that will make the right investments

in some of our regions most important economic assets. Just last year, we announced support

Rep. Maffei and Rep. Richard Hanna tour thePort of Oswego and discuss ways to improve

this important Central New York resource.


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for an effort to consolidate the Great Lakes Navigation System to expand the infrastructure

framework at the Port of Oswego and other Great Lakes ports to make trade and commerce

easier domestically and internationally. In addition, we worked together with local partners to

announce a nearly $200,000 competitive grant for the Port of Oswego to accommodate increased

rail trafc in and out of the port. We must do all we can to make the right investments in our

water infrastructure like the Port of Oswego to create new economic opportunities for the region.

We have an asset a public health asset and an economic development

asset that is exceptional in terms of quality, cost and abundance. We

need to get that message out to businesses that could consider Central

New York as a location for their development. Holly Rosenthal,

Executive Director, Onondaga County Metropolitan Water Board

Water and SewerIn Syracuse and other areas across Central New York, many of our water mains are more than

100 years old. In fact, the City of Syracuse reported over 350 water main breaks in 2013, and

over 150 in just the rst three months of 2014. Aging water infrastructure is a real challenge for

local businesses and communities, and breaks are becoming more and more commonplace. We

must make the right investments to modernize and improve this important resource. Each delay

because of a water main break wastes important taxpayer-funded resources, negatively affects

day-to-day commerce, and hurts the regions ability to attract new employers and create jobs.

Families and businesses alike expect and rely on a dependable, clean water supply every day. We

cannot allow this system to fail and to ensure that, we must invest in the upgrades our region needs.

Technology and Energy Grid Improvements

Discussion around infrastructure is often focused on transportation, but our technology

infrastructure and energy grid deserves attention and investment too. From the jobs discussions

I started in 2013, and the more recent infrastructure roundtables this spring, it became

increasingly clear how important access to high-speed internet and an expansion of broadband

service was across Central New York. I hosted a broadband symposium in Wayne County to

assist rural communities with expanding access and announced with Mayor Miner in Syracuse

the formation of a group to address the citys internet challenges. Expanding the reach and speed

of the internet in communities throughout the region provides us with the tools to grow andcreate jobs and provides more educational resources for the regions students.

It is critical that consumers have access to reliable and affordable energy. Numerous business

leaders and other stakeholders discussed the importance of modernizing our existing energy

grid and the infrastructure that supports it. I have been a proponent of updating our energy

infrastructure that serves both businesses and residential communities, because to attract and


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keep business, we must keep energy costs low. We must provide the very best service to

consumers across Central New York, and I will continue to advocate for important investment

in this infrastructure.

D. INCENTIVIZING COLLABORATION AMONG MUNICIPALITIES

Our biggest challenge right now is time and the fact is that we dont

have the resources to solve the problem. We need to partner across

communities to nd real solutions Khalid Bey, Councilor for the

Syracuse Common Council

The challenge of funding is one faced by nearly every local government throughout Central New

York. With nite resources and shrinking budgets, it is more important than ever to foster

partnerships and collaborate with neighboring municipalities on projects that suit the needs of

both entities. We need to do more to encourage these relationships. Furthermore, we should be

establishing regional partnerships, collaborating with localities, the state, and the federal

government to invest in important infrastructure projects that would be less likely to see

completion without these partners working together.

We also need to work together through public and private partners to ensure we are making the

right infrastructure investments. Partnering among public and private sectors fosters dialogue

on the infrastructure challenges facing the community and makes it easier to prioritize these

important investments. Whether its expanding our broadband infrastructure, nding real

transportation solutions, or providing important funding for our ports or rail, we must have real

dialogue and work together to prioritize.

Many of the roundtable participants highlighted the need for incentives to create these alliances,

which encourage leaders to put aside the traditional political or personal differences in order to

obtain the resources needed for their respective constituents. The possibilities for collaboration

are endless in infrastructure with regard to transportation, energy alternatives, water and sewer

systems, the list goes on. We need to do whatever we can to encourage partnerships to create

more efcient and effective systems of delivery for these networks.

Its got to be about more than Oswego. Its about reaching out to and

partnering with others in the region. Thats something we can do.

Zelko N. Kirincich, Executive Director, Port of Oswego


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IV. Recommendations

A. Making Infrastructure a Priority

B. Protecting and Promoting Our Clean Water Economy

C. Smart Infrastructure Investments

A. MAKING INFRASTRUCTURE A PRIORITY

Investing in infrastructure not only improves the

public goods we use every day, but data shows that

investment in infrastructure creates jobs and

strengthens the economy. A recent Standard &

Poors analysis of U.S. infrastructure investments

found that an investment of $1.3 billion in 2015

would create approximately 29,000 jobs to theconstruction sector alone, grow the economy by $2

billion, and reduce the decit by $200 million in

that year alone. Another study conducted by the

Federal Highway Administration in 2007 found that

a $1 billion investment in the nations highway system supported nearly 30,000 jobs. This is

why I will continue to make infrastructure a priority, as I have done with infrastructure

roundtables and by soliciting feedback through outreach and a survey on infrastructure. These

are some of the most important investments we can make in our region to create good jobs today

and in the future.

Across Central New York and the nation, there are thousands of infrastructure projects in need

of funding. That is why I strongly support the creation of a National Infrastructure Development

Bank. I am a cosponsor of legislation that would create a public bank to evaluate and fund

infrastructure projects of national or regional signicance. The bank would use public

investment to leverage more private investment to support environmental, energy,

transportation, and telecommunications projects. I will renew efforts to push for the creation of

a National Infrastructure Development Bank, which has been touted as a bipartisan idea to fund

critical infrastructure projects. B. PROTECTING AND PROMOTING OUR CLEAN WAT

B. PROTECTING AND PROMOTING OUR CLEAN WATER ECONOMY

Our natural water resources support tourism, wineries, and thousands of jobs across Central

New York. Onondaga Lake is an example of a regional asset we need to continue to protect and

promote. That is why I am working on plans to continue the cleanup and preservation of the lake

for generations to come by developing a strategy for management and restoration, working to

Rep. Maffei joins the Cayuga EconomicDevelopment Agency for their Annual Luncheon.


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include the publics participation in the lakes future, and establishing a council to carry out

plans for the continued improvement of the lake for everyone.

In our region we ght a constant battle to preserve our clean waters by ghting against pollution

and invasive species. In the House of Representatives, I support legislation to regulate polluters

and protect our environment and our clean water economy. New York has a state moratorium onhydro-fracking, which we should continue to support at least until we know that the practice is

safe for our water and it is subject to federal regulations.

C. SMART INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Making smart investments in our regions infrastructure not only creates construction jobs, but

supports local businesses that rely on our roads, ports, airports, water, energy and technology

infrastructure to produce and distribute their goods. These investments generate signicant

economic activity that benets us all.

To protect the publics investment in infrastructure, I propose creating a contractor penalty

box for companies that have a track record of running over budget and past deadlines with

federal contracts, including infrastructure contracts. Under this plan, contractors that exceed

their original bid by an excessive amount would be put in a penalty box and not allowed to

compete on any federal projects for a period of time, ensuring that taxpayers get what they pay

for with federal investments.

There is more that we can do to support infrastructure in our region:

Roads and Bridges

As our community is aware, the elevated portion of I-81 (also known as the viaduct) that runs

through downtown Syracuse will reach the end of its useful life in 2017. Something will have to

be done to replace this stretch of highway and options include but are not limited to converting it

to a boulevard, creating a tunnel, or keeping it the same. What to do about I-81 is one of the

biggest decisions affecting the future of Central New York. This decision must be made by the

people in Greater Syracuse, not by ofcials in Albany or Washington. That is why everyone who

has a stake in I-81 should make their voices heard during this process. People can start by

attending public forums, visiting the Outreach Center in Downtown Syracuse, or by providing

comments online at https://www.dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities. Whatever happens, we will live

with this choice for generations to come, so we should all be active participants in this decision-making process.

Airport

Our airport is a valuable resource to our region and I will continue to work to support

improvements in the facility and ight options. I have worked with local stakeholders to secure


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funding to expand service and lower costs at Hancock International Airport. However, it is clear

that we need another discount airline to help keep the cost of air travel into and out of the area

down while opening up the region to visitors from across the country. Frequent, low-cost air

travel will help give businesses more affordable travel options so they can y technicians and

managers into and out of the region and expand their businesses to new markets. Lower cost air

travel options to Central New York will also expand the regions growing tourism economy. I will

continue to work with the airport and local ofcials to help attract more air travel options and

support improvements to the existing airport infrastructure to improve service and reliability.

High-Speed Rail

It is clear there is demand for high-speed rail in Central New York. Upstate New York has been

designated as a corridor for high-speed rail by the federal government. This makes Upstate New

York eligible for federal aid to improve rail travel from Niagara Falls to New York City. The state

is currently evaluating options, and I will continue to support this needed federal investment to

expand reliable passenger service across our area. According to one estimate, this investmentcould generate over $1 billion in new wages and create 21,000 new jobs across New York State.

Ports

The Port of Oswego is an important economic engine for our region, handling over a million tons

of freight annually, so we must continue to advocate for its fair share of funds for dredging and

improvements. We can do more to enhance the Port of Oswego by supporting the creation of an

intermodal Erie Canal that would transform Central New York into a hub for global commerce.

The Central New York Inland Port project would capitalize on the increased cargo shipments to

the East Coast after the Panama Canals expansion. After the expansion, more goods will ow

through East Coast ports, and the most efcient way to move goods west is still through CentralNew York. Thats why I have advocated for improvements to the Central New York Inland Port

Trade Corridor, which provides promising economic benets for agriculture, energy, and

manufacturing industries that want to open and expand their markets through exports.

We have infrastructure already in place, including the canal, Port of Oswego, an international

airport equipped for air freight, direct access to two interstate highways, and existing active

freight rail lines and rail yards. It is a logistical project that makes sense for our region that I will

continue to push for, in addition for more funding for infrastructure improvements at the

existing Port of Oswego.

Water and Sewer

Making smart investments in our water and sewer systems must be a high priority since our

region has an expanding clean water economy with farming, wine-making, tourism and high-

tech manufacturing that all benet from the abundance of clean, fresh water we have. Our

region needs immediate investments to repair and upgrade our existing water infrastructure, but


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V. Conclusion

By investing in our infrastructure, we are investing

in our future as a region. If we want to grow and

create jobs, we need to get serious about makingimportant investments in our regions

infrastructure. Central New York is truly the best

place to live, work, raise a family, and retire, but we

must ensure that we make the right infrastructure

investments to grow and create jobs. By making

smart investments in Central New Yorks

infrastructure, we can grow the economy,

strengthen the middle class, and build our future.

Rep. Maffei hosting an InfrastructureRoundtable in Onondaga County with localbusiness and community leaders.

TO STAY UPDATED AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO

BUILD CENTRAL NEW YORKS FUTURE,

please visit www.maffei.house.gov

or call my office at (315) 423-5657.

our local taxpayers cannot afford the price tag on their own. That is why I propose a series of

water grant workshops to help local governments learn more about how to be competitive and

win grants to help offset the cost of needed repairs.

Technology and Energy Grid Improvements

Internet providers are not public utilities, so we must work together to solve our broadband

access issues. Earlier this year, I hosted a Broadband Symposium in Wayne County where we

learned about successes other Upstate New York communities have had and opportunities to

expand broadband options. I will continue to work to bring communities together to pool their

resources to advocate for broadband expansion. In Syracuse we have partnered together to work

to expand opportunities for broadband deployment in the city. I will continue to support these

efforts to expand access for our schools, businesses, and families.

Furthermore, we must continue to strengthen and improve our energy grid infrastructure. Local

educational institutions in Central New York have already made strides to develop smart grid

programs, initiatives that aim to integrate renewable resources into the grid and increase energyefciency. We should work to bring together local stakeholders, utilities, and public ofcials to

keep costs low and ensure consumers continue to have access to reliable and affordable energy.

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Rep. Dan Maffei's Infrastructure Plan

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