A bill in the New York State Senate supported by Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome to help local highway departments reduce costs and legal liabilities has passed unanimously.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate district, which includes Massena, Brasher, Norfolk, Stockholm, Potsdam, Pierrepont, Russell, Clifton, Fine and Pitcairn.

The bill amends highway law to now define a low-volume road, which would apply to roads where less than 400 vehicles drive daily.

The bill would save municipalities money by allowing their highway departments to perform less maintenance, such as plowing and grading, on these less-utilized roads.

The New York State Local Roads Research and Coordination Council established standards for low-use roads in 1992, which towns have been using ever since. These standards, however, do not have the authority of state law.

“Municipalities simply cannot afford to design, construct and maintain these less-traversed roads to other state or national design standards for regular roads," Griffo said. "By putting these standards into state law, we’re helping to keep costs low – which helps the taxpayers.”