Critiquing Gov. Cuomo's Attention to Roads and Highways

E.J. McMahon offers strong criticism of New York Governor Andrew J. Cuomo's legacy as the custodian of the state's infrastructure:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s effort to campaign for re-election as a master builder of new infrastructure has been undermined by headlines about New York City’s crumbling subway system. Meanwhile, much less public and political attention is being paid to his management of another major transportation asset: the New York state highway system.

McMahon identifies similarities between the two modes of transportation infrastructure: "a focus on megaprojects, frills and quick fixes at the expense of essential but more costly long-term repairs."

McMahon's scathing critique comes just weeks after Gov. Cuomo celebrated the opening of the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge, named for former and late Governor Mario M Cuomo, the current governor's father. The new bridge is the poster child for the priority on splashy new projects. The bridge cost an estimated $3.9 billion to build, but also had to close shortly after opening due to risks from the old bridge.