Drivers across the Finger Lakes and Central New York saw major road and bridge upgrades this year as New York State posted record transportation improvements.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 30 that statewide projects in 2025 included thousands of miles of paving and hundreds of bridge repairs, with the Finger Lakes and Central New York ranking among the busiest regions.
In the Finger Lakes region, crews improved 492 lane miles of roadway and replaced, rehabilitated, or upgraded 430 bridges. Central New York followed closely, with 191 lane miles improved and 419 bridges worked on during the year.
Those projects were part of a broader $3.6 billion statewide investment in roads and bridges. State officials say the pace of work jumped sharply compared to last year, with 47% more roadway lane miles improved and 19% more bridges repaired or replaced than in 2024.
Across New York, highway crews upgraded or rehabilitated more than 4,120 lane miles, filled over 1.3 million potholes, and completed work on nearly 3,700 bridges. Officials said the work improved safety, reliability, and resilience against severe weather.
Governor Hochul said the investments aim to give residents smoother commutes and safer travel. She credited state highway crews and contractors for accelerating the pace of work.
The New York State Department of Transportation handled most of the improvements, investing nearly $3.5 billion in state and local roads and bridges. Crews also performed maintenance on nearly 2,000 additional bridges and aggressively addressed potholes throughout the year.
The New York State Thruway Authority also made significant upgrades that benefit Central New York and the Finger Lakes, reinvesting toll revenue into lane reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, safety improvements, and technology upgrades along the Thruway system.
State officials say the work will continue. DOT plans to resurface more than 4,000 lane miles statewide in 2026, its largest paving agenda ever. The Thruway Authority has also approved one of the biggest capital investment plans in its history, targeting major bridge and highway projects over the next five years.
For Finger Lakes and Central New York drivers, state leaders say the result should be fewer potholes, stronger bridges, and smoother travel heading into the new year.
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