New York has sought to boost spending for road and bridge repair projects statewide. 

Then inflation happened, driving up costs for virtually every material needed to make improvements. 

The upshot has been a de facto dilution of the state's five-year plan for capital expenses at the state Department of Transportation. Mike Elmendorf, the president of the Associated General Contractors in New York, warns the result of inflation will lead to less work for needed repairs. 

"The effect is pretty simple: Even worse conditions for roads and bridges in New York, which are already ranked among the worst in the country," Elmendorf said. 

The organization over the last several months has warned lawmakers road and bridge projects need more funding in a finalized state budget, which is now more than three weeks late. 

Estimates now show the cost of fuel, asphalt and other materials have essentially led to a 20% reduction from the five-year plan for road and bridge projects. 

"Inflation has taken a bite so big, basically a year's worth of funding has evaporated," Elmendorf said. 

In the state Senate, lawmakers have backed a $2 billion increase that would address inflationary costs as well as projects to make improvements. 

Without the funding in place, basic infrastructure could suffer. 

"The price of asphalt way up. The price of fuel way up," he said. "So, it costs more to repair roads and bridges, just like it costs more to do everything else."