Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York transportation crews filled more than 250,000 potholes across the state during April, far exceeding the administration’s original goal as officials launched what they described as the most aggressive paving and road repair campaign in state history.
The governor announced Friday that State Department of Transportation crews filled roughly 75,000 more potholes than initially projected after deploying more than 215 crews statewide following one of the coldest winters in recent years.
State officials said the combination of snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles left roads heavily damaged heading into spring, prompting an unusually large statewide repair effort. In addition to pothole patching, DOT crews laid more than 120,000 tons of asphalt during April as part of broader resurfacing work.
The state also reported a sharp increase in public complaints about potholes this year. Calls to New York’s 1-800-POTHOLE hotline more than doubled between Jan. 1 and April 15 compared to the same period in 2025, increasing from 2,263 to 5,322.
Hochul said the state is investing more than $600 million into over 180 paving projects during the 2026 construction season as part of a larger five-year capital plan. Altogether, the projects are expected to improve more than 4,000 lane miles of pavement statewide this year.
Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez called the initiative the largest paving program in the department’s history and said crews will continue resurfacing roads throughout the year.
State officials encouraged drivers to continue reporting potholes on state highways through the toll-free hotline, while potholes on local roads should be directed to municipalities responsible for maintenance.
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