Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed making New York’s Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program permanent as part of her 2025 budget plan. The initiative, introduced as a pilot in recent years, has proven effective in reducing speeding in construction zones and enhancing safety for workers and drivers alike.
Hochul’s plan expands the program to include additional properties managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels and the New York State Bridge Authority. “Work zones remain hazardous, with transportation workers facing increasing risks. Tragically, more than 40 incidents of harassment or assault and worker fatalities have occurred since 2022,” Hochul said.
The proposal seeks to not only enforce speed limits in construction zones but also serve as a deterrent. Cameras will issue violations automatically to drivers exceeding speed limits in work zones, creating a safer environment for workers and motorists.
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Safety advocates and transportation worker unions have applauded the initiative, citing its potential to save lives. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy and potential overreach in enforcement. The final structure of the expanded program will likely be shaped through negotiations in the Legislature.
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