Transportation, Department of

skip breadcrumbs

Agency Web Site: https://www.dot.ny.gov/indexLink to External Website

Mission

It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure its customers – those who live, work and travel in New York State – have a safe, efficient, balanced, and environmentally sound transportation system.

The DOT directly maintains and improves the State’s approximately 44,500 State highway lane miles and nearly 7,900 bridges. In addition, the Department partially funds locally-operated transit systems, local government highway and bridge construction, and rail, airport, and canal programs.

Organization and Staffing

The Department is headed by a Commissioner appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation. The Department’s main office is in Albany, with 11 regional offices in Schenectady, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Hornell, Watertown, Poughkeepsie, Binghamton, Hauppauge, and New York City. The Department also maintains highway maintenance and equipment repair facilities across the State.

Employees of the Department perform such activities as highway maintenance, snow and ice removal, highway and bridge design, and construction inspection. In addition, the Department’s staff inspects school and charter buses, regulates commercial transportation, oversees public transportation systems and State-owned airports, and provides administrative support for the Department.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2020 Executive Budget recommends more than $9.4 billion for the Department, a decrease of $569 million from the FY 2019 budget. This year-to-year change primarily reflects reforms in the budget that transfer previous Aid Trust Account revenues directly to the MTA, and planned scheduling of commitments related to DOT’s historic capital plan.

The Executive Budget includes a workforce of 8,520 FTEs for the Department, unchanged from the amount funded in FY 2019.

Major budget actions include:

  • The Executive Budget provides funding for the fifth year of DOT’s capital plan for the period that began in FY 2016, and reflects significant additional commitments made in the FY 2020 budget. These investments will support needed improvements to New York State’s highways, bridges, rail, aviation, and non-MTA transit infrastructure.
  • The Executive Budget provides operating support totaling over $5.8 billion to transit systems. The MTA will receive almost $5.3 billion (through a combination of appropriated and non-appropriated resources), an increase of $287 million from FY 2019, and other transit systems will receive a record-high $568 million of annual operating assistance. The Budget also moves the MTA Aid Trust Account directly to the MTA, and includes an $11 million appropriation for transit service over the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
  • The FY 2020 Executive Budget raises new revenues for Upstate transit systems by expanding an auto rental surcharge currently applied just in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) to the entire state. New revenues total $11 million in the coming year ($22 million in future years), and will be used to provide added support for Upstate systems that serve many of the most economically disadvantaged, disabled, and elderly riders throughout the State.
  • The FY 2020 Executive Budget includes legislation to implement Congestion Tolling in Lower Manhattan. This program, while not reflected in State appropriations, will reduce congestion in the area while providing needed funding for MTA subway and other transit capital improvements. The Budget also includes legislation to directly address bus lane violations that have contributed to reduced MTA bus speeds.
  • The FY 2020 Executive Budget includes legislation to substantially improve the safety of limousines, buses, taxis, and liveries throughout New York State. The legislation would ban certain types of stretched or modified vehicles, strengthen civil and criminal penalties for violations, and significantly enhance the Department’s authority to take dangerous vehicles off the road. The legislation will also establish a $120 fee on inspections of certain for-profit buses, limousines, and other liveries under the jurisdiction of the Department. The fee will defray DOT’s costs of performing the inspections, and disincentivize poor maintenance practices that require repeated inspections of the same vehicle.
  • To help the State realize the full value of its assets, the Budget includes legislation that would authorize DOT to enter into agreements with fiber-optic utility companies to occupy State rights of way. Such agreements are projected to provide potential revenue to the State of $15 million in FY 2020, $30 million in FY 2021, and $50 million annually thereafter.
  • Capital Aid to Local Governments for highway and bridge projects is preserved at FY 2019 levels, with $438.1 million provided for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and $39.7 million for the Marchiselli program. The Executive Budget also continues the State’s commitment to providing $100 million for local bridge projects through the BRIDGE NY program, and $100 million for local highway improvements through the PAVE NY program.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Program Highlights

Highway Construction and Maintenance: Improving the State’s vital transportation infrastructure remains the agency’s highest priority. During 2017-18, the Department replaced or rehabilitated a total of 204 State bridges and completed 5,973 corrective and preventive bridge treatments to slow deterioration. In addition, 1,815 lane miles of State highway were resurfaced or reconstructed. Construction of virtually all highway and bridge projects is performed by private firms, while most corrective and preventive maintenance activities are performed by DOT staff.

Engineering: State staff and private-sector consultants perform the planning, property acquisition, design engineering, environmental reviews, surveying, materials and soils testing, and construction inspection necessary to deliver the Department’s capital program.

Local Highway Aid: The State makes a significant investment in helping localities maintain safe roads and bridges through the CHIPS, Marchiselli, BRIDGE NY and PAVE NY programs. The CHIPS program provides aid to cities, counties, towns and villages on a formula basis, while the Marchiselli program helps local governments meet required matching requirements on Federally funded projects. The BRIDGE NY and PAVE NY programs were created in the FY 2017 budget and provide additional State aid for local bridge and highway projects.

Transportation Safety and Environmental Compliance: Department staff perform safety inspections of school buses throughout New York State. In addition, the Department administers safety and emissions inspections of commercial trucking on State highways, as well as a comprehensive program to ensure public safety along the State’s commercial rail corridors.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 386,550,000 429,211,000 42,661,000 365,582,000
Aid To Localities 4,108,032,600 3,647,228,300 (460,804,300) 482,861,000
Capital Projects 5,554,685,000 5,402,873,000 (151,812,000) 18,294,887,000
Total 10,049,267,600 9,479,312,300 (569,955,300) 19,143,330,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Bus Safety
General Fund 95 95 0
Design and Construction
Capital Projects Funds - Other 2,558 2,558 0
Motor Carrier Safety
General Fund 54 54 0
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 53 53 0
Non-Federally Aided Highway Capital Projects - Administration
Capital Projects Funds - Other 422 422 0
Operations
General Fund 2,385 2,385 0
Office of Passenger and Freight Transportation Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 73 73 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 46 46 0
Planning and Program Management
Capital Projects Funds - Other 545 545 0
Preventive Maintenance
Capital Projects Funds - Other 2,113 2,113 0
Rail Safety
General Fund 11 11 0
Real Estate
Capital Projects Funds - Other 165 165 0
Total 8,520 8,520 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 339,351,000 380,772,000 41,421,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 31,489,000 31,189,000 (300,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other 15,710,000 17,250,000 1,540,000
Total 386,550,000 429,211,000 42,661,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Bus Safety
General Fund 7,233,000 8,680,000 1,447,000
Motor Carrier Safety
General Fund 6,242,000 7,492,000 1,250,000
Office of Passenger and Freight Transportation Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 31,489,000 31,189,000 (300,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other 12,500,000 14,040,000 1,540,000
Operations
General Fund 325,084,000 363,648,000 38,564,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 3,210,000 3,210,000 0
Rail Safety
General Fund 792,000 952,000 160,000
Total 386,550,000 429,211,000 42,661,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Bus Safety 7,966,000 1,328,000 7,032,000 1,172,000
Motor Carrier Safety 4,245,000 708,000 4,053,000 676,000
Operations 163,648,000 4,767,000 124,781,000 4,767,000
Rail Safety 847,000 142,000 797,000 133,000
Total 176,706,000 6,945,000 136,663,000 6,748,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)
Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Bus Safety 0 0 934,000 560,000
Motor Carrier Safety 0 0 192,000 102,000
Operations 4,102,000 0 34,765,000 30,168,000
Rail Safety 0 0 50,000 32,000
Total 4,102,000 0 35,941,000 30,862,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Bus Safety 714,000 119,000 30,000 5,000
Motor Carrier Safety 3,247,000 542,000 94,000 16,000
Operations 200,000,000 33,797,000 137,951,000 39,375,000
Rail Safety 105,000 18,000 18,000 3,000
Total 204,066,000 34,476,000 138,093,000 39,399,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Bus Safety 498,000 83,000 78,000 13,000
Motor Carrier Safety 120,000 20,000 3,015,000 503,000
Operations 102,000 (2,898,000) 61,400,000 13,284,000
Rail Safety 74,000 13,000 6,000 1,000
Total 794,000 (2,782,000) 64,499,000 13,801,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Bus Safety 108,000 18,000
Motor Carrier Safety 18,000 3,000
Operations 547,000 (15,964,000)
Rail Safety 7,000 1,000
Total 680,000 (15,942,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Office of Passenger and Freight Transportation Program 45,229,000 1,240,000 17,907,000 849,000
Operations 3,210,000 0 0 0
Total 48,439,000 1,240,000 17,907,000 849,000
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Office of Passenger and Freight Transportation Program 27,322,000 391,000
Operations 3,210,000 0
Total 30,532,000 391,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 303,850,800 109,850,800 (194,000,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 73,300,000 73,300,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 3,730,881,800 3,464,077,500 (266,804,300)
Total 4,108,032,600 3,647,228,300 (460,804,300)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Additional Mass Transportation Assistance Program
General Fund 259,720,000 65,720,000 (194,000,000)
Dedicated Mass Transportation Trust Fund Program
Special Revenue Funds - Other 714,256,000 727,146,000 12,890,000
Local Transportation Planning Studies Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 33,500,000 33,500,000 0
Mass Transportation Assistance Program
General Fund 25,251,000 25,251,000 0
Mass Transportation Operating Assistance Fund Program
Special Revenue Funds - Other 2,083,147,700 2,257,147,700 174,000,000
Mass Transportation Operating Assistance Program
General Fund 18,879,800 18,879,800 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 202,990,100 202,990,100 0
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Support Program
Special Revenue Funds - Other 730,488,000 276,793,700 (453,694,300)
Office of Passenger and Freight Transportation Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 17,900,000 17,900,000 0
Rural and Small Urban Transit Aid Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 21,900,000 21,900,000 0
Total 4,108,032,600 3,647,228,300 (460,804,300)

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change Reappropriations
FY 2020
Aviation
Airport or Aviation Program
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 358,000
Capital Projects Fund - Aviation (Bondable) 0 0 0 2,010,000
Airport or Aviation Program -- Bondable
Capital Projects Fund - Aviation (Bondable) 0 0 0 824,000
Airport or Aviation State Program
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 4,000,000 4,000,000 0 38,848,000
Regional Aviation Fund 0 0 0 8,416,000
Aviation
Transportation Capital Facilities Bond Fund 0 0 0 3,329,000
Federal Airport or Aviation
Federal Capital Projects Fund 6,000,000 6,000,000 0 59,705,000
New York Works
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 12,500,000 12,500,000 0 196,278,000
Non-Federal Aided Highway Capital Projects
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 1,186,000 1,243,000 57,000 1,851,000
Transportation Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Rebuild Renew NY 2005 (Bondable) 0 0 0 10,021,000
Bond Proceeds
Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bonds of 2005
Rebuild and Renew New York Transp Bonds of 2005 0 0 0 476,327,000
Canals and Waterways
Canals and Waterways - Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 484,000
Transportation Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Rebuild Renew NY 2005 (Bondable) 0 0 0 16,139,000
Economic Development
New York Works
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 122,000,000 0 (122,000,000) 78,000,000
Non-Federal Aided Highway Capital Projects
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 171,903,000
Health and Safety
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 11,059,000
Highway Facilities
Accelerated Capacity and Transportation Improvements Fund
Accelerated Capacity and Transport Improvements Fund 0 0 0 23,010,000
Airport or Aviation State Program
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 27,000
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Federal Stimulus 0 0 0 27,101,000
Engineering Services
Engineering Services Fund 0 0 0 121,819,000
Federal Operating Grants Fund 19,379,000 19,241,000 (138,000) 93,621,000
Federal Aid Highways - Bondable Purpose
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 6,080,000
Federal Aid Highways - Federal Purpose
Federal Capital Projects Fund 2,480,000,000 2,520,000,000 40,000,000 8,625,450,000
Highway Facilities
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 11,918,000
Infrastructure Bond Act Projects
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 7,251,000
Maintenance Facilities
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 5,000,000 5,000,000 0 3,968,000
Multi-Modal
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 32,851,000
Municipal Highway - Railroad Crossing Alterations
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 1,567,000
New York State Agency Fund
Miscellaneous New York State Agency Fund 50,000,000 50,000,000 0 545,326,000
New York Works
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 102,904,000 77,214,000 (25,690,000) 1,199,602,000
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 14,324,000
Federal Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 13,983,000
Non-Federal Aided Highway Capital Projects
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 1,296,701,000 1,320,902,000 24,201,000 2,629,323,000
Other Highway Aid
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 65,000,000 0 (65,000,000) 65,000,000
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 1,150,000
Other Transportation Aid
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 478,172,000 477,797,000 (375,000) 816,965,000
Priority Bond Act Projects
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 7,056,000
Road and Bridge Improvements - Bondable
Capital Projects Fund - AC and TI Fund (Bondable) 0 0 0 23,009,000
Small and Minority and Women-Owned Small Business Assistance
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 0 0 0 3,500,000
Transportation Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Rebuild Renew NY 2005 (Bondable) 0 0 0 15,278,000
Transportation Infrastructure Renewal Bond Fund
Transportation Infrastructure Renewal Bond Fund 0 0 0 29,149,000
Infrastructure
New York Works
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 356,175,000 346,175,000 (10,000,000) 1,308,684,000
Maintenance Facilities
Maintenance Facilities
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 27,405,000 27,405,000 0 82,495,000
Mass Transportation and Rail Freight
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Federal Stimulus 0 0 0 119,267,000
Mass Transportation
Capital Projects Fund 38,500,000 38,500,000 0 167,206,000
Mass Transportation and Rail Freight
Capital Projects Fund 18,500,000 18,500,000 0 239,820,000
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 20,000,000 0 (20,000,000) 24,123,000
Capital Projects Fund - Energy Conservation (Bondable) 0 0 0 148,000
Capital Projects Fund – Settlement Funds 0 0 0 16,004,000
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 54,330,000 54,330,000 0 173,445,000
Federal Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 19,573,000
Mass Transportation and Rail Freight Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 2,682,000
New York Works
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 45,000,000 45,000,000 0 146,929,000
Other Transportation Aid
Federal Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 58,769,000
Rail Freight
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 120,000
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 1,291,000
Capital Projects Fund - Advances 0 0 0 21,360,000
Rail Preservation and Development Fund
Rail Preservation Development Bond Fund 0 0 0 164,000
Small and Minority and Women-Owned Small Business Assistance
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 5,000,000
Special Rail and Aviation Program
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 4,651,000
Transportation Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Rebuild Renew NY 2005 (Bondable) 0 0 0 26,526,000
Port Development
Port Development Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Infrastructure Renewal (Bondable) 0 0 0 55,000
Transportation Bondable
Cap Proj Fund - Rebuild Renew NY 2005 (Bondable) 0 0 0 10,448,000
Preservation of Facilities
Non-Federal Aided Highway Capital Projects
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 74,000
Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund 351,933,000 379,066,000 27,133,000 472,173,000
Total 5,554,685,000 5,402,873,000 (151,812,000) 18,294,887,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019