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The Capital Region will benefit from a share of over $32 million in funding aimed at enhancing road safety. Announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, the funding is part of the New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) "Safe System" approach, which seeks to reduce highway deaths and improve road conditions. This initiative will support improvements such as new guide rails, signs, and pavement markings in local communities, including East Greenbush, Ballston, Cambridge, and Fort Edward.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of road safety, stating, "Keeping New Yorkers safe is my highest priority." The "Safe System" approach aims to achieve zero highway deaths by addressing engineering improvements, public education, and law enforcement activities. According to Governor Hochul, 44 percent of crash fatalities in New York occur when a vehicle departs from its lane.
The funding is part of a broader effort, supported by the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Safety Improvement Program, to implement countermeasures like enhanced striping and rumble strips. NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez highlighted the goal of reducing fatalities and serious injuries, stating that the funding will create safer streets across the state.
This initiative aligns with a nationwide effort led by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, who launched the SAFE ROADS initiative to improve safety on non-freeway arterial roads, where a significant portion of roadway deaths occur. The combined efforts at state and federal levels aim to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities across the country.