Languishing road and bridge projects could be sped up with help from a bill that would increase private sector participation, Long Island Republican Sen. Charles Fuschillo said today.

In a statement, Fuschillo said he was introducing legislation that would increase private-public partnerships by giving state agencies more flexibility in entering into contracts for road, bridge and tunnel projects. The proposal is meant to help a cash-strapped state with a sagging infrastructure get costly projects off the ground, he said.

“New York’s transportation infrastructure is at a crossroads,” Fuschillo said. “With a severely underfunded DOT capital plan and massive outstanding projects like the Tappan-Zee Bridge replacement, it is time for New York to explore effective and innovative ways to fund our transportation system.”

“Public-private partnerships are a proven tool we need to deliver vital projects on-time and under-budget.”

The Tappan Zee Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River connecting Rockland and Westchester counties, was one of the first stops Gov. Andrew Cuomo made immediately after his election, saying the state has to do more to update its infrastructure.

The cost of replacing the aging bridge is estimated at $16 million billion.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was cool to the idea of public-private partnerships in January, saying that while they could be put to a good use, the programs need vigilant oversight.

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