Mayor de Blasio Announces Record Repaving as DOT Exceeds Fiscal Year Target

July 10, 2017

DOT crews have resurfaced 4,000 lane miles since 2014 as part of de Blasio Administration’s historic investment in road repaving – $1.6 billion over ten years

NEW YORK––Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) had exceeded its  Fiscal Year resurfacing target of 1,300 lane-miles, surpassing it by 24 lane-miles. Overall, DOT has repaved a total of 4,000 lane-miles during the de Blasio Administration. 

“When I took office, many of our streets were in bad shape, with potholes making many of them an obstacle course,” said Mayor de Blasio. “With a $1.6 billion investment, we made changing that reality a budget priority, and DOT’s crews have really stepped up to the task. Their incredible work over the last few years has brought us a dramatic decline in pothole complaints — but more important, we have seen smoother, safer streets in every borough.”

“Mayor de Blasio’s unprecedented investment in road resurfacing has allowed us to top our paving goals for the second fiscal year in a row,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “DOT work crews, from those producing asphalt to those putting it down on our roads, deserve serious credit for stepping up to keep our roadways smoothly paved and safe. Freshly paved streets also allow us to put down fresh street markings, including new high-visibility crosswalks that are helping us meet our Vision Zero goals.  Because of all of this hard work, New Yorkers are enjoying smoother rides, fewer potholes and safer streets.”

Since 2014, pothole complaints have declined and response times have improved.  Pothole complaints went from a peak of 60,144 in 2015 to 38,364 last year, a 36 percent decrease.  Response times for complaints declined from nearly six days in FY14 down to three days in FY17.

This past Fiscal Year, DOT resurfaced major corridors throughout all five boroughs, including:

MANHATTAN

• Broadway (East 14 St to West Houston St and West 41 St to W 36 St)
• Lexington Avenue (East 61 St to East 52 St)
• Avenue of Americas (Canal St to West Houston St)

QUEENS

• Queens Boulevard (Yellowstone Blvd to 71 Ave, 71 Ave to Union Turnpike, 67 Road to 65 Ave/65 Road, and 67 Road to Yellowstone Blvd)
• Roosevelt Avenue (73 St to 79 St and 51 St to 49 St and College Point Blvd to Union St)
• Union Turnpike (Main St to Parsons Blvd)
• Northern Boulevard both directions (126 St to Flushing Bridge and Flushing Bridge to 126 St)
• Utopia Parkway (Union Turnpike to Jewel Ave)

BROOKLYN

• Fulton Street (Bedford Ave to Marcus Garvey Blvd)
• Myrtle Avenue (Kent Ave to Marcy Ave)
• 7 Avenue (86 St to Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 78 St to 72 St, 72 St to 62 St and Poly Place to 86 St)
• Ocean Avenue (Ave P to Ave S, Voorhies Ave to Emmons Ave and Foster Ave to Ave K)
• Stillwell Avenue (Surf Ave to Boardwalk and Bay 50 St to Shore Pkwy)

THE BRONX

• East Tremont Avenue (White Plains Road to Purdy St)
• Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road S/B (Randall Ave to Hutchinson River Pkwy)
• Eastchester Road (Morris Park Ave to Pelham Pkwy South)
• Hunts Point Avenue (Garrison Ave to Spofford Ave and Spofford Ave to East Bay Ave)

STATEN ISLAND

• Richmond Terrace (South Ave to Western Ave)
• Midland Avenue (Hylan Blvd to Richmond Road)
• Willowbrook Road (Port Richmond Ave to North Gannon Ave)

“Pave, baby, pave! That was our battle cry at Borough Hall soon after the Mayor took office. He has delivered,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “During these last few years, we have seen the fruits of this historic investment in our infrastructure, as many of our major arteries have finally been resurfaced. I look forward to continuing this effort as I work with the Administration on preventing these freshly paved streets from being torn up and improperly restored.” 

"There's nothing flashy about repaving a road, but it is a key benchmark for judging the efficacy of government,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “From Bay Ridge and Bed-Stuy to Clinton Hill and Coney Island, smoother roads are making communities safer across Brooklyn. I thank DOT Commissioner Trottenberg for her leadership of our City's ongoing resurfacing work."

“Transportation in New York City depends on roads that are safe – and reliable – for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists,” said U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke. “With the completion of this ambitious resurfacing project, Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner Trottenberg, and the Department of Transportation have dramatically improved conditions on many important corridors, allowing people to travel efficiently within their city.”

"Under the leadership of former Bronx DOT Commissioner Constance Moran, my Senatorial District benefitted greatly from the plans, implementations and improvements in many roads and sidewalks,” said State Senator Ruben Diaz. “I look forward to continued support from the present Borough Commissioner Nivardo Lopez with resurfacing issues in our community as the need arises."

“I want to thank Mayor de Blasio, NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and the hardworking DOT crews for their efforts to improve New York City’s roadways,” said State Senator Martin J. Golden. “One of the top concerns of residents in my districts are the condition of our streets, traffic and the existence of hazardous potholes. Therefore, newly paved streets and fixing potholes has a positive impact on traffic and improves the overall quality of life for New Yorkers.”

“Our roadways are critical arteries for New York's transportation needs,” said State Senator Jesse Hamilton.  “When permitted to fall into disrepair, roadways can damage not only cars, trucks, and buses, but the entire transport network we all rely on. That is why Mayor de Blasio's $1.6 billion, 10-year investment in our streets and the Department of Transportation's efficiently executed resurfacing programs are so important. I commend DOT for reaching resurfacing goals for the second year running. I know all New Yorkers will benefit for years to come thanks to City efforts to bolster our critical infrastructure,”.

“Keeping our roads and infrastructure up-to-date is vital for any city,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, who sits on the Senate Transportation Committee. “I am especially glad to see resurfacing work was completed along Queens Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue, both heavily utilized corridors within my district.  I appreciate the Mayor and Commissioner's concern and their advocacy in improving our transportation needs.”

“I applaud Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg for their commitment to improving the safety and integrity of our streets,” said Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol. “Damaged roadways can hurt vehicles, bicycles and humans, while also slowing down traffic. There are many more roads in my district that need resurfacing, but this administration is on the right track.” 

"I want to commend Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Department of Transportation for reaching their goal of repaving 1,324 lane miles for fiscal year 2017, and the 4,000 total lane miles achieved thus far during his first term,” said Assembly Member Walter Mosley. “It is no secret that many of our city’s roads were in poor shape, making it difficult for our drivers, cyclists and sometimes dangerous for pedestrians to navigate the city streets. As a result of new, freshly paved roads, DOT was able to put down fresh street markings and new highly-visible crosswalks, which helps meet the goals of Vision Zero. In addition, DOT filled 253,096 potholes, helping decline the number of potholes by nearly 50% over the last three years.  I look forward to Mayor de Blasio and DOT's continued progress and success in building up our city’s roads and infrastructure."

"Resurfacing and repaving of local roads is a worthy investment in the infrastructure and safety of our communities,” said Assembly Member Nily Rozic. “Making these improvements in Eastern Queens is long overdue and I look forward to the difference it will make for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike."

"Keeping our roads paved and in good shape means people and goods can move throughout our city more safely," said Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "With considerable investments in road maintenance, the de Blasio administration continues to ensure a smooth ride for drivers and cyclists. That these repavings have coincided with Vision Zero enhancements make them all the more important for all in our city."

“For years, traveling over our city’s uneven and pothole ridden streets was an unsettling experience not only bad for tires, but a real danger to our safety,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. “The repaving of 4,000 lane miles, including along Queens Boulevard and 21st Street in Western Queens, is a real achievement that makes travel safer and more enjoyable for all. I commend Mayor de Blasio for his commitment to improving street safety for all New Yorkers, and I look forward to continue working closely with the administration to realize safer travels for all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.”

“When many of us took office almost four years ago, our roads were in terrible shape, the result of years of neglect and underfunding,” said Minority Leader Steven Matteo. We made it clear to this Administration that we needed to put significant financial resources into repairing our roads. To this Mayor's credit, they have done exactly that. We are now seeing and experiencing the results of that investment with thousands of miles of newly repaved streets. We have much more work to do, but the progress we have made is unmistakable.”

“Flushing is undergoing a renaissance that includes significant street upgrades around the downtown area,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “This resurfacing of Roosevelt Avenue from College Point to Union was a great example of responsiveness by the city that ultimately provided much needed relief to everyone who travels through the city’s second busiest pedestrian intersection. Potholes, bumpy streets, and faded crosswalks are priority fixes for the Flushing transit hub, and I look forward to continuing our to work with the city to target these issues as they arise.”

“By accelerating the pace of road repaving, we have taken significant steps toward improving our roads and reversing decline and disrepair,” said Council Member Debi Rose. “In the last three years, we have repaved most major North Shore corridors, including Richmond Terrace, Targee Street and Forest Avenue, as well as smaller streets in every North Shore neighborhood. This not only makes for a smoother ride, but also a safer ride. I thank the mayor for this commitment, and I urge him to continue repaving at this accelerated pace.”

"It is crucial to keep New York City streets safe and efficient for the millions of residents that travel each day,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland. “The state of our roads not only affects those commuting but also the surrounding small businesses and more. The DOT has made great progress towards its resurfacing goal, and I look forward to more improvements around the five boroughs."

“In recent years, Queens Blvd was not a smooth ride for motorists and in many places, treacherous footing for pedestrians,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz. “I applaud the Mayor’s recognition that much work needed to be done on this city’s streets, and one of those streets particularly in need of repaving was Queens Blvd. Most certainly there is more road repair to be done in my district. I am gratified that the main road in my district, Queens Blvd., has after many years, finally been resurfaced.” 

"This landmark investment in road repaving is proof of our City’s commitment to keeping our thoroughfares safe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians," said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. "With a record number of 4,000 miles of repaved surfaces, everyone sharing our roads can now enjoy the benefits of safer streets free of hazardous cracks, potholes and other signs of disrepair. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg for making the necessary investment in our City’s critical roadway infrastructure."
           
In 2015, the Mayor announced a $1.6 billion commitment to resurface roads all over the city over the next decade, with 2,500 lane miles to be resurfaced in FY 16 and FY17.  DOT has repaved 1,265 lane miles in FY16, and 1,324 lane miles in FY17.  With the historic investment in repaving 4,000 lane miles of city streets, the need for pothole repair had declined dramatically.  In FY17, DOT filled 253,096 potholes, a decline of nearly 50% over the last three years.

DOT both procures and produces asphalt at its two plants for resurfacing and filling potholes. In 2017, DOT used nearly 1.3 million tons of asphalt.