For Immediate Release: 11/19/24
Contact: Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300 | public.info@thruway.ny.gov
THRUWAY AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES 2025 ANNUAL BUDGET AND FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
2025 - 2029 Capital Plan Invests $2.7 Billion Which Includes the Repaving of More Than 61 Percent of the Thruway’s More Than 2,800 Lane Miles and Replaces or
Rehabilitates Nearly 20 Percent of the Thruway’s 817 Bridges
Five-Year Capital Plan Includes an Increased Investment of $742 Million or 38 Percent
Thruway is a User-Fee Supported Highway and Receives No Dedicated Federal, State or Local Tax Dollars
The New York State Thruway Authority Board of Director’s today unanimously approved the Authority’s 2025 budget and the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan. The five-year Capital Plan includes an increase of $742 million, or approximately 38 percent, which is a direct result of a multi-year toll adjustment plan that began in 2024.
The approved 2025 budget and previous budgets can be found HERE.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare, Esq. said, “The Authority’s 2025 spending plan is a balanced financial plan that provides the resources needed for the Thruway to remain one of the safest and most reliable highway systems in the nation. The strategic investments demonstrate our commitment to maintaining, modernizing and rebuilding the Thruway system, much of which dates back 70 years.”
Joanne M. Mahoney, Thruway Board of Directors Chairperson said, "I commend the Thruway Authority team for building a balanced budget and five-year Capital Plan that demonstrates fiscal responsibility while prioritizing the modernization of the Thruway system. This plan will significantly benefit the hundreds of millions of drivers who rely on the Thruway each year. Despite the rising costs associated with equipment and construction materials, this budget establishes long-term priorities to effectively meet customer needs for years to come."
The 2025 budget provides a financial road map totaling $1.36 billion, which includes $477.3 million in dedicated funding for capital projects across the Thruway system beginning in 2025, an increase of more than $33 million compared to the approved 2024 budget.
Traffic volumes have also increased by more than 4.5 percent compared to the 2024 original budget, with more than 400 million toll transactions anticipated by the end of the year. In 2025, traffic is expected to remain steady or increase slightly.
Overall, $2.7 billion will be invested over the next five years into the Thruway’s 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan, a $742 million, or approximately 38 percent increase since the approval of a multi-year toll adjustment plan that went into effect beginning on January 1, 2024. The increased investment will lead to work on approximately 61 percent of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 pavement lane miles as well as the replacement or rehabilitation of 20 percent of the Thruway’s 817 bridges. Bridge work will include replacements, rehabs, paintings, joint replacements, vertical clearance improvements, etc.
Toll rates for the Thruway system will not change in 2025, outside of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, where the passenger rate for NY E-ZPass customers will increase by $0.50 round trip. All toll rates are listed at thruway.ny.gov .
IMPROVING WORK ZONE SAFETY
The Thruway Authority is committed to the safety of our employees and customers. In 2024, two employees, Vincent Giammarva and Stephen Ebling , died, and another, Mark Vara was seriously injured, in separate incidents after being hit by vehicles while working on the Thruway.
In addition to the Thruway Authority’s increased investment into highways and bridges, the approved 2025 budget allocates $4.1 million for equipment and initiatives focused on enhancing employee safety. Investments include the purchase of new impact attenuators, arrow board trailers, speed feedback signs and other safety equipment. These resources will be utilized by the Thruway's workforce to improve safety across the extensive 570-mile system.
Included in this investment are funds collected from the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program that began in April 2023. Excess funds collected through that program are required by legislation to be invested in worker safety initiatives.
The Thruway Authority urges motorists to stay alert while driving, slow down in work zones and move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The lives of Thruway Authority employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel are in their hands. Motorists must follow the state’s Move Over Law , which was expanded in March 2024 to require drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway.
ENHANCING TOLLING CUSTOMER SERVICE
The approved 2025 budget invests funds for enhancements in cashless tolling customer service operations. This includes the development of a new back-office system and a revamped website and mobile app for New York E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail customers. Once the new system is operational, customers can expect to see several upgrades, such as:
- More payment options including Google Pay and Apple Pay
- An improved website and mobile app
- Enhanced call center features, including live chat and voice prompts
- Convenient online enrollment for discount plans
- Strengthened overall system and payment security
UPGRADED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
The approved 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan includes an investment of $45 million for a new emergency radio system which will replace the Authority’s existing system which is 25 years old and functionally obsolete. The new system will upgrade or construct more than 50 tower sites on Thruway property to create a modern, reliable and interoperable system for use by the Thruway Statewide Operations Center (TSOC), emergency services, first responders, New York State Police and Thruway Authority maintenance and operations staff.
About the Thruway Authority
The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway, built in the early 1950s, is one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System and one of the longest toll roads in the nation. The maintenance, operations and capital investments of the Thruway system are funded primarily by tolls. The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and is paid for by those who drive the Thruway, including one-third of drivers from out of state.
The Thruway is one of the safest roadways in the country with a fatality rate far below the nationwide index, and toll rates are among the lowest in the country compared to similar toll roads. The Thruway’s base passenger vehicle toll rate is less than $0.05 per mile, compared to the Ohio Turnpike ($0.06 per mile), the New Jersey Turnpike ($0.12 to $0.32 per mile) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike ($0.15 per mile).
For up-to-date travel information, motorists are encouraged to download the mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map that features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails , which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.
For more information, follow the Thruway on Facebook , X and Instagram , or visit the Thruway's website .
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