New York poured billions into road and bridge work in 2025, but for Long Island drivers, the results remain a mixed bag.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state improved more than 4,120 highway lane miles, filled 1.3 million potholes, and replaced or rehabilitated nearly 3,700 bridges this year, backed by $3.6 billion in investments. Officials say the pace of work far outstripped 2024, with 47 percent more lane miles improved and 19 percent more bridges repaired statewide.
On Long Island, the state reported 636 lane miles improved and 339 bridges repaired or upgraded in 2025. That places the region among the higher totals for lane miles, trailing only the Southern Tier and Western New York, and ahead of areas such as the Capital District, Mid-Hudson, and New York City. Bridge work on Long Island also exceeded several regions, though it fell well below Western New York’s 1,272 bridge projects and the Finger Lakes’ 430.
State transportation officials point to those numbers as evidence that Long Island is receiving a fair share of infrastructure funding. Yet the region’s aging road network, heavy commuter traffic, and constant wear from weather and volume mean many drivers still experience rough pavement, recurring potholes, and congestion chokepoints that seem untouched.
The DOT also reported filling hundreds of thousands of potholes statewide and performing maintenance on nearly 2,000 additional bridges beyond major projects. Still, motorists on the Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway, Route 25, and other local state roads say those efforts often feel temporary.
Looking ahead, the state plans to resurface more than 4,000 lane miles statewide in 2026, with another $1.2 billion earmarked for paving. Officials call it the most ambitious agenda yet.
For Long Island, the numbers show progress, but also underscore a reality drivers know well: even with significant investment, the region’s roads and bridges remain a work in progress.