More than 1 million potholes have been patched on New York state roads since the start of 2026, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration announced Thursday. Employees of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and contractors used more than 39,500 tons of asphalt for the work. To mark the milestone of 1 million repairs, the governor personally joined a road crew on Long Island and helped fill the symbolic millionth pothole.
The event took place last weekend near the Meadowbrook Parkway in Hempstead. Hochul took part in repairing the damaged pavement alongside road workers.
“Potholes can’t run and they can’t hide. We find them and we eliminate them,” the governor said in a press release. She stressed that the past winter seriously damaged roads across the state, but thanks to the dedication of repair crews, large-scale work was carried out.
According to NYSDOT data, the most potholes were patched in the North Country region, where about 178,000 repairs were made. On Long Island, 156,000 pieces of damage were fixed, in the Hudson Valley 150,000, and in the Southern Tier 121,000. Another 95,000 potholes were repaired in the Finger Lakes, 88,000 in the western part of the state, 75,000 in the Capital Region, 52,000 in Central New York, 43,000 in the Mohawk Valley and 42,000 in the Western Southern Tier. In all, the work covered every region of the state.
The repairs are part of a broader infrastructure modernization program. In 2026, the state has allocated more than $600 million to more than 180 repair projects covering nearly 2,150 lane miles. Together with previously planned investments, the pavement renewal program covers more than 4,000 lane miles.
Officials note that potholes most often form when water seeps into cracks in the asphalt. During freezing weather, the water freezes and expands, and repeated cycles of freezing and thawing weaken the pavement. Heavy vehicle traffic is an additional factor.
Drivers can report damage on state roads, including the Thruway, by calling 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653). In New York City itself, reports are accepted at 311. For local roads, drivers should contact the appropriate road authority.
Ed. JŁ
Source: Nowy Dziennik
