New York gets a "C-" in infrastructure. In a new report, the American Society of Civil Engineers says New York State roads, bridges, and sewers are in a state of disrepair and need to be fixed now.
“It is disappointing, but at the same time, it's become so inherent, people have become complacent,” surmised Mark Rusnica with the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The national civil engineers group gave New York's roads a “D-,” our bridges a “D+,” and our wastewater a “D.” What exactly does that grade mean? It doesn't mean bridges are necessarily going to fall.
“Structurally deficient and functionally obsolete does not mean unsafe,” assured Rusnica. “It just means it's getting more attention. It's being put on a watch list, it's being inspected more often.”
However, when it comes to bridges, safety is first. In 1987, NewsChannel 13’s Phil Bayly was there when a bridge on I-90 on plunged into the Schoharie Creek below...killing all 10 driving on it.
That's one of the reasons the ASCE says the time to act is now. NewsChannel 13 asked how New York's infrastructure got to this point.
“The spending level has been flat,” explained Karen Morrison with the Associated General Contractors of New York State. “Adjusted for inflation, it's lower. That's how we got here.”
Three Democratic assemblymen were at the unveiling of the report All of them support increased spending on infrastructure. It's going to take billions. NewsChannel 13 asked Phil Steck (D - Colonie) if this is going to take a New Deal approach.
“I think we need a ‘New Deal,’ style commitment,” said Steck. “Of course, you know that Roosevelt was only from a couple hours south of us. I’m always inspired to visit Hyde Park, because that was the time we made a commitment as a nation to move forward.”
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s3920086.shtml?cat=10114 
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