Governor Kathy Hochul announced on April 6 an extensive effort to repair potholes and repave roads across New York State, following what officials described as one of the coldest winters in recent memory. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will deploy 215 crews this month to fill more than 175,000 potholes using over 8,000 tons of asphalt, with plans to address hundreds of thousands more as weather permits.
The large-scale road maintenance campaign comes in response to significant damage caused by the freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snowfall experienced throughout the state. Governor Hochul said, “I know where each and every pothole is hiding on the state highway system, and I have bad news for these public nuisances: Your days are numbered.” She added that DOT and Thruway crews “will not rest until every pothole in this state has been repaired.”
NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said that crews have worked tirelessly through winter conditions to keep roads clear. “Now, as the weather transitions, we are moving from fighting snow and ice to carrying out one of the most robust construction programs in recent memory – anchored by record infrastructure and paving investments from Governor Hochul,” Dominguez said.
Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority, highlighted more than $1 billion anticipated for construction projects under a five-year capital plan that aims to resurface roughly 60 percent of the highway system. Hoare said these investments strengthen safety and reliability for millions of motorists.
The effort includes major projects across regions such as Long Island—where $58.8 million will be spent on pavement improvements—and Western New York’s Harlem Road enhancements totaling $5.1 million. Additional paving projects are scheduled statewide throughout spring and summer.
Last year alone saw over 1.3 million potholes filled on state highways from Long Island to Buffalo according to DOT records. This year’s push began mid-February; by April 1 more than 28,000 additional repairs had already been completed using over 1,400 tons of asphalt.
Motorists can report new or worsening potholes by calling a dedicated hotline or local authorities depending on road ownership.