Testimony Before the NYS Joint Legislative Budget Hearing for Transportation

February 6, 2025

Watch the full hearing: https://nystateassembly.granicus.com/player/clip/8813?view_id=8&redirect=true

New York State Legislature Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, New York 12248

Re: Budget Hearing –

Transportation Chairs Cooney and Magnarelli and esteemed legislators,

On behalf of the New York Building Congress, thank you for the opportunity to present testimony to the Senate and Assembly Committees on Transportation regarding the legislature’s efforts to advance a robust transportation agenda that supports the growth and prosperity of New York State.

The New York Building Congress represents over 500 constituent organizations and more than 250,000 skilled professionals dedicated to fostering infrastructure development across the state. Our members are global leaders in the industry, working on over 30,000 projects totaling $1.65 trillion in project value across the United States alone. They represent every stage of development and are dedicated to the vitality of the communities their projects serve.

We firmly believe that a well-funded and efficiently managed transportation network is essential to maintaining New York’s economic vitality and quality of life. As such, we urge full funding of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) 2025-29 Five-Year Capital Plan to ensure reliable, safe, efficient, accessible and modernized service across its network. In light of the challenges faced by the MTA in recent years, including increased operational demands and aging infrastructure, comprehensive funding is more crucial than ever to lessen service disruptions and accommodate future growth.

Additionally, we advocate for a robust Department of Transportation (DOT) capital plan that addresses both maintenance and new projects essential for statewide connectivity and development. Investment in major projects such as new bridges, road expansions, and enhanced transportation networks are vital for stimulating economic growth and ensuring the future resilience of our transportation infrastructure.

The Building Congress also supports innovative transportation initiatives such as the integration of new technologies and sustainable practices within MTA and DOT projects. These initiatives will not only improve operational efficiency but also contribute to the state’s environmental goals.

We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance these critical transportation projects and policies.

Together, we can ensure that New York’s transportation infrastructure meets the needs of its citizens now and into the future.

Thank you again for always considering our members’ perspectives on these important issues as we join the legislature in pursuit of transportation strategies that will benefit all New Yorkers for generations to come.

Respectfully,

Rich O’Malley

Senior Director, Public Affairs

New York Building Congress