Chair Cooney Highlights Transportation Investments Made in FY26 State Budget

(ALBANY, NY) - Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) today announced the inclusion of several items in this year’s state budget to improve and modernize New York’s transportation and infrastructure systems. 

Senator Cooney said, “With reckless funding threats from the federal government, New York has to take the lead when it comes to modernizing our state’s infrastructure system. While we know there are more resources needed for our roads and bridges, I’m proud of the progress we made to make it easier and more efficient for New Yorkers to get from Point A to Point B. I will continue my work alongside Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the legislature to embrace new technologies, keep highway workers safe, break down barriers to transportation, and create the kind of transit system that New Yorkers deserve.”

Below are some priorities of Senator Cooney that are included in the FY26 state budget:

$500K for high-speed rail planning efforts. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Cooney has made high-speed rail a top priority. This funding would help New York examine potential route options for a high-speed rail line in New York, including the I-90 Thruway.

4.9% STOA increase for public transit. This would mean additional funding for non-MTA transit systems across New York, funds that can be used for more frequent routes and infrastructure upgrades. 

$800 million more to state DOT road projects, allowing the state to deliver the state roads projects it promised to get done in the next two years.

$200 million, an increase of $54 million, for capital funds for non-MTA transit systems, while proposing the creation of a new five year capital plan for non-MTA systems to use for planning and delivering capital improvements.

An increase of $100 million over two years, with a $50 million immediate increase, for a total of $648 million to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), funds that go directly towards the repair and upkeep of local roads and bridges. 

Language to expand the number of workzone speed cameras, doubling the number of work zones where these cameras can be used and helping to address the epidemic of speeding drivers endangering highway workers.

$100 million for the Extreme Winter Recovery, funds that go to local roads and bridges to help repair roads after harsh winter weather.

$150 million to PAVE NY, funds that go to counties and municipalities to help repair broken pavement

$140 million for State Touring Routes, funds that go to cities to help maintain and repair its aging infrastructure.

$200 million to BRIDGE NY, funds that go directly toward the repair and replacement of county and local bridges

$26 million in capital funding for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) light rail network. 

$12.5 million for the Airport Capital Grant program, funds that go toward airport maintenance.

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