NEW YORK STATE, USA — The Thruway Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2025 annual budget and five-year capital plan on Tuesday.
The 2025-2026 capital plan will invest nearly $3 billion to repave more than 61 percent of the thruway as well as replace or repair nearly 20% of the thruway's bridges. The capital plan also includes an increased investment of $742 million, which is from a multi-year toll adjustment plan that began in 2024.
The New York State Thruway Authority is a user-fee supported highway and therefore receives no federal, state or local tax dollars.
The approved 2025 budget and previous budgets can be found here.
“The Authority’s 2025 spending plan is a balanced financial plan that provides the resources needed for the Thruway to remain one of the safest and most reliable highway systems in the nation," Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare, Esq. said. "The strategic investments demonstrate our commitment to maintaining, modernizing and rebuilding the Thruway system, much of which dates back 70 years.”
The 2025 budget totals $1.36 billion, which includes $477.3 million in funding for capital projects across the thruway beginning in 2025. This is an increase of more than $33 million compared to the 2024 budget.
Toll rates for the Thruway system will not change in 2025, outside of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. There, the passenger rate for NY E-ZPass customers will increase by $0.50 round trip. All toll rates can be found by visiting thruway.ny.gov .
IMPROVING WORK ZONE SAFETY
The 2025 budget will designate $4.1 million for equipment and initiatives focused on enhancing employee safety. This includes the purchase of new impact attenuators, arrow board trailers, speed feedback signs and other safety equipment. These resources will be utilized by the Thruway's workforce to improve safety across the extensive 570-mile system.
ENHANCING TOLLING CUSTOMER SERVICE
The budget also invests funds in cashless tolling customer service operations. This includes the development of a new back-office system and a revamped website and mobile app for New York E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail customers. Once the new system is operational, customers can expect to see several upgrades including:
- More payment options including Google Pay and Apple Pay
- An improved website and mobile app
- Enhanced call center features, including live chat and voice prompts
- Convenient online enrollment for discount plans
- Strengthened overall system and payment security
UPGRADED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
The capital plan has an investment of $45 million for a new emergency radio system to replace the Authority’s current system. The new system will upgrade more than 50 tower sites on Thruway property to be used by the Thruway Statewide Operations Center (TSOC), emergency services, first responders, New York State Police and Thruway Authority maintenance and operations staff.
