For a generation, local governments have relied on funding from the Consolidating Highway Improvement Program, a multibillion-dollar pot of money used to shore up infrastructure like roads and bridges. 

But now as New York is flush with cash from increased tax revenue and federal aid, Republican state lawmakers are calling for long-term improvements to roads and bridges. 

"We're open to using any of that surplus for it, I think it ought to be used for that infrastructure," said state Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay. 

Republicans unveiled a push for funding after a series of public hearings and meetings with local government officials on the issue in the last several years. 

New York's infrastructure is considered to be some of the country's oldest, and engineers as well local government officials over the years, have said the state's spending on improvement programs have lagged behind the rest of the country. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget has proposed billions of dollars for a multi-year project plan. Republicans at a news conference on Tuesday called it a good start, but said more is needed for long-range planning and improvements. 

State Sen. Tom O'Mara has been working on the issue for a decade. 

"We really have seen some significant increases over that period of time, but with record surplus dollars, we have the resources to develop in these capital projects," he said. "New York has the oldest, most aging infrastructure in the country. I don't know if we can get their completely this year, but I'm hopeful."