Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D, WF-Fresh Meadows) announced that the New York State Department of Transportation’s (NYS DOT) is allocating $15.58 million to New York City under a funding stream for state touring routes. The new state funding is part of a $100 million allocation secured in this year’s enacted state budget and will be used for upgrades and maintenance of the City’s highway system.

“Queens residents can expect to see infrastructure upgrades in our borough thanks to funding in this year’s state budget for highway repairs and maintenance,” said Assemblywoman Rozic. “The deteriorating conditions of roadways throughout Queens is unacceptable and long overdue for major rehabilitation to ensure the longevity and safety of our transit system. Now that the state has stepped in, the City must provide Queens with its fair share of infrastructure funding proportional with the borough’s share of highway mileage and routes.”

“Queens drivers know all too well that our borough’s roadways need improvement,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. “The record funding allocated by the State Department of Transportation will go a long way toward ensuring that Queens roadways enable motorists to have safe and smooth rides. I commend Assemblywoman Rozic for securing this important funding, which we anticipate will be allocated proportionately so that Queens gets its fair share.”

In New York, signed state highways are referred to as “touring routes.” To identify whether roads or highways are in a state of good repair, the NYS DOT conducts annual surveys to assess surface conditions. With 62.11 state touring route miles, New York City is set to receive the most funding. Of the five boroughs, Queens tops the list with 39.82 miles.

Rozic has previously led similar efforts through legislation and advocacy to increase the reimbursement rate to local governments for the cost of arterial roadway maintenance. With this new funding, Rozic is calling for equity in distribution of the funds and long-term assistance to cities and municipalities across New York who rely on state funding.