Budget includes record-breaking $32 billion for transportation infrastructure
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — The new state budget includes a new historic $32.8 billion, five-year capital plan for programs and proposed projects administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.
The adoption of this new capital plan, the largest investment ever in the state's transportation infrastructure, represents a $9.4 billion (40.2 percent) increase over the prior five-year plan period. The new transportation plan prioritizes and refocuses investments on State and local roads and bridges in smaller municipalities; makes our state's communities more resilient to extreme weather events; and incorporates strategic investments to reconnect neighborhoods and facilitate regional economic growth, while creating thousands of new jobs.
"The adoption of this extraordinary capital plan sends a strong signal that New York is building back stronger than ever from the depths of the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "With this blueprint, we will give communities the infrastructure they need to unleash their full potential, enhancing connectivity, supporting transportation alternatives, and correcting the injustices of the past. I applaud Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their help in getting this done."
The cornerstone of the new transportation capital plan is the targeted and record level of investment directed toward local roads and bridges in smaller municipalities throughout New York. Under the enacted transportation capital plan, direct support for local roads and bridges increases to more than $6.1 billion over the five-year period, an increase of nearly $2.5 billion (69 percent) including the doubling of funding available through the BRIDGE NY program and the new Operation Pave our Potholes initiative. In parallel, the enacted capital plan provides the resources necessary for the Department to maintain and renew State-owned assets.
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The adoption of this plan will drive historic levels of funding for local governments, make supply chains more efficient, and better position the private sector to create highly skilled well-paying jobs.
In the Capital Region, a highlighted project is replacing the Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge. The Livingston Avenue railroad bridge provides a critical link for passenger rail service from the Northeast Corridor to Albany-Rensselaer. This new transportation plan includes up to $400 million to replace the existing, Civil War-era bridge with a new, modern structure capable of supporting higher-speed passenger rail, freight rail, maritime transport, and bicycle-pedestrian access.
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The New York Public Transportation Association lauded the state's funding of infrastructure projects.
"New York's transit systems thank Governor Hochul and legislative leaders for including significant and needed increased funding for public transit in the final state budget," NYPTA president and RGRTA CEO Bill Carpenter said. "It is important that downstate suburban systems received the increase we asked for to expand their systems and meet the needs of their customers."
