Gov. Cuomo promises nearly $14 million to fix potholes on Long Island

JERICHO, N.Y. (WABC) -- As we get closer to winter, there is a new push to fix potholes still around from last winter.

Thursday, Governor Cuomo announced the start of a multi-million dollar repaving project on Long Island.

It may be the worst stretch of highway anywhere on Long Island, Route 106 in Jericho. It's not so much a road, but a quarter-mile-long speed bump.

"The pothole condition here on Long Island is horrendous," said Nick Vessio, a motorist.

Vessio is visiting Long Island from south Florida.

"I hit more potholes just going from the Holland Tunnel to New Hyde Park, Long Island than I have in three years living in Florida," Vessio said.

The weather in New York is a major factor, but it hasn't snowed in months. Some roads, like a stretch of the Wantagh Parkway still look like washboards.

Governor Cuomo promised $14 million to repair and repave several Long Island roads over the next 14 months.

"This is an investment in the Long Island road network that is sorely needed," said Alec Slatky, of AAA New York.

Slatky of the AAA says repairs have been delayed this year for lack of funding.

"That's where the rubber meets the road because you need money at the federal level, you need money at the state level, you need money at the local level, and all of those levels of government are strapped for cash," Slatky said.

"We've had two really bad winters, the roads have been destroyed, the truck don't help, the big cars don't help, you have to give them time," said Bruce Cohn, a motorist.

Some motorists Eyewitness News spoke to were more forgiving, but not Vessio.

"Thank God I have heavy duty suspension, because I've been riding around banging my head on the ceiling, you probably need more likely a Humvee like they use in Iraq or Afghanistan it could probably handle the potholes a lot better!" Vessio said.