Governor Kathy Hochul announces more than 250000 potholes repaired across New York during massive effort

Albany, New York – New York transportation crews filled more than 250,000 potholes across the state during a massive monthlong repair campaign ordered after one of the harshest winters in recent memory left roads damaged and dangerous for drivers.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Department of Transportation dramatically exceeded its original goal of repairing 175,000 potholes during April. State officials said the final total surpassed 250,000 repaired potholes after crews worked throughout every region of New York.

The aggressive repair effort followed widespread road damage caused by freezing temperatures, snow, and ice during the winter months.

“Smoother roads improve the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers, and with a long winter now firmly in the rearview mirror, DOT crews have been addressing the scourge of potholes on our state highway system with an unprecedented intensity,” Governor Hochul said.

The governor also made clear that road repair crews will continue expanding paving and resurfacing work throughout the year.

“Paving projects are underway in every region of the state and state crews will be out in force rejuvenating one of the largest state highway systems in the entire nation,” Hochul added. “Whether we are filling potholes or repaving roads, make no mistake: if you are a pothole, your days are numbered.”

Hundreds of Crews Sent Across New York

State transportation officials said more than 215 NYSDOT crews were deployed statewide during April as part of the unprecedented pothole response effort.

Along with repairing potholes, workers also laid more than 120,000 tons of asphalt on state highways throughout the month.

The repair campaign came after Hochul announced earlier in April that transportation crews would launch a large-scale push to address road damage once winter weather conditions improved.

Officials said public participation played a major role in helping transportation teams identify areas most in need of repairs.

Calls to New York’s pothole hotline more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Between Jan. 1 and April 15, the state received 5,322 calls reporting potholes, compared to 2,263 calls during the same timeframe in 2025.

The governor previously announced a record level of investment for road resurfacing and paving projects statewide during the 2026 construction season.

Under New York’s five-year capital plan, the Department of Transportation plans to spend more than $600 million on over 180 paving projects across the state.

Those projects will cover nearly 2,150 lane miles and are part of a much larger resurfacing effort that officials described as the most ambitious annual paving program in state history.

Combined with other planned roadway projects, New York expects to improve more than 4,000 lane miles of pavement during 2026.

State Officials Highlight Historic Road Investment

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez praised the effort and credited the governor’s infrastructure funding for making the large-scale repairs possible.

“Thanks to an unprecedented infusion of capital provided by Governor Hochul, the Department of Transportation is now embarking on the largest, most ambitious paving program in the history of our Department,” Dominguez said.

She also praised transportation workers who spent weeks carrying out repairs across the state highway system.

“Our dedicated team is hard at work revitalizing thousands of miles along the state highway system, in the process saying a permanent goodbye to hundreds of thousands of potholes and saying ‘hello’ to a smoother ride for millions of travelers across the Empire State,” Dominguez added.

State officials said the pothole hotline, 1-800-POTHOLE, remains active year-round and is available 24 hours a day for residents to report damaged roads on state highway systems and the New York State Thruway.

Officials noted that potholes inside New York City should be reported through 311, while potholes on local roads should be directed to local governments responsible for maintaining those streets.

Transportation leaders say the massive repair effort is aimed at improving safety, reducing vehicle damage, and giving drivers smoother travel conditions across one of the nation’s largest highway systems.