lanners responsible for maintaining our roads need to look at the potential for higher costs down the road before deciding to put off road-resurfacing projects.

Citing tough economic times and the high cost of asphalt, the state Department of Transportation plans to eliminate nearly 10 percent of its projects because its budget isn't going as far as expected.

At the same time the state Thruway Authority is canceling $250 million worth of projects scheduled through 2011, including rebuilding and resurfacing roadways and bridges, and county highway superintendents are looking to scale back local projects, as well.

We understand the need to cut back on spending during difficult economic times, but infrastructure investments - especially maintenance - cannot be put off indefinitely.

The potential here is for knee-jerk reactions to tight budgets coming back to bite taxpayers in the long run.

It's unlikely that fuel, labor, materials, or any other item associated with the cost of road repairs is going to get any less expensive in the near future.

The cost-effectiveness of putting off projects now vs. the potential for more expensive rebuilding later needs to be studied and the results brought to the attention of those in charge of the budgeting process.

We're concerned that several years from now, we'll hear state and county highway departments say that they've got to spend a lot more money now because they failed to complete the minimum maintenance when they had the chance.

If delaying a paving project or a bridge makeover by a year or two means that a much more expensive fix will be needed later on, we've got to make sure the work gets done now.