Claiming there are 13 closed bridges in St. Lawrence County, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush says North Country roadways are suffering while the governor funds “luxury wants” downstate.

Several dozen New York county highway superintendents have demanded increased funds for roads and bridges at an Albany press conference.

With budget talks accelerating before an April 1 deadline, Blankenbush (R-Black River), who represents much of southwestern St. Lawrence County, was at that press conference.

Over the last several months, Blankenbush said in a prepared statement, he has been calling for more funds to repair local infrastructure and to use a significant portion of the over $5 billion in bank settlement funds for it.

“It is an utter disgrace that the state has been ignoring the needs of upstate New York. Our roads and bridges are in such disrepair that more than 30 bridges in my district are currently closed,” said Blankenbush.

“There is nothing more critical to a community’s health and economic strength than infrastructure. New York State needs to step up,” the state assemblyman said.

Blankenbush said most of the proposals from the governor and other legislators have significantly more public funds diverted downstate to fund what he terms “luxury wants” rather than addressing the critical needs of upstate.

Blankenbush said the governor’s 30-day amendments to his budget proposal could threaten the state Department of Transportation’s CHIPs road and bridge program.

He said there are 13 closed bridges in St. Lawrence County.

And, he said, weight limits have decreased on many upstate bridges. This does not include bridge-like structures or culverts.