More than 1,500 lane miles of state and local highways were improved and more than 2,800 bridges were replaced or improved during 2023. That’s according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office. The Governor called the news “a signature achievement in New York’s ongoing initiative to modernize its vital transportation infrastructure.” These projects by the New York State Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority represented a more than $2.4 billion investment in New York’s roads and bridges.
“During this construction season, we put the pedal to the metal on our record-setting efforts to modernize New York’s transportation network and improve travel all across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “These paving and bridge projects will provide motorists in every corner of this state with a smoother ride while also helping to ensure that our transportation network can be among the most resilient and sustainable in the nation.”
During 2023, the New York State Department of Transportation improved 1,586 lane miles along state and local highways, representing a $753 million investment in New York’s roadways. The resurfacing included over 500 lane miles of improvements that were funded from Governor Hochul’s Pave Our Potholes Program. Additionally, NYSDOT replaced or improved 2,833 bridges statewide, totaling a nearly $1.7 billion investment that enhanced safety, improved sustainability and boosted resiliency against severe weather impacts.
Paving and Bridge accomplishments broken down by region included:
Lane Miles Bridges
Capital District 132 117
Mohawk Valley 85 157
Central NY 52 434
Finger Lakes 177 320
Western NY 320 745
Southern Tier 221 335
North Country 182 29
Mid-Hudson 175 302
Long Island 208 263
NYC 34 131
State Department of Transportation maintenance forces also worked aggressively throughout the year to combat potholes, filling an estimated 1.1 million potholes during 2023. Potholes are formed primarily due to infiltration of water into pavements through cracks in the surface.
The $32.8 billion, 5-year State Capital Plan adotpted in 2022 was the largest ever adopted by the state and will help fulfill the Governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves all New Yorkers. The Governor has made improving road conditions a priority with new programs like the Department of Transportation’s Pave Our Potholes, which allocated $500 million to improve local roads and $500 million for state highways as part of the 5-year State Capital Plan. This is in addition to other State programs, such as CHIPS, PAVE NY, State Touring Routes, and other programmed capital projects across the state.
Additionally, the New York State Thruway Authority reinvested $78.3 million in toll dollars to reconstruct or rehabilitate more than 162 lane miles of the Thruway system. In addition to roadway resurfacing, there were also significant safety enhancements made including guiderail repairs, line striping, signage, and drainage improvements.
