DOT’s current-year savings target is $60.547 million, which reflects both the Governor’s call for a 10.35 percent reduction in projected agency spending and an additional Enacted Budget target of $7.674 million for reductions in the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund.
DOT is currently expected to achieve $40.032 million of its $60.547 million target, with the balance held in abeyance to ensure that sufficient funding is available for snow and ice control activities during the upcoming winter.
Major Savings Initiatives
DOT is already in the process of implementing the following actions to achieve their savings target:
Savings attributable to implementation of the Statewide hiring freeze, excluding positions with public health and safety impacts ($11.2 million).
Various non-personal service actions and reductions in overtime pursuant to the agency's fiscal management plan ($8.3 million).
Savings associated with the Department's contract with the Thruway Authority for operation and maintenance of Interstate-84 ($1.7 million).
Savings from reduced utilization of existing consultant contracts, primarily for project design and materials inspection ($3.019 million).
Utilization of the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) for eligible costs of the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund ($10.4 million).
Elimination of one-time operational funding for a pilot initiative to establish express Amtrak service between Albany and New York City ($3 million).
Elimination of plans to expand DOT H.E.L.P Truck service in certain upstate and downstate areas ($1.050 million).
Reductions to Multi-modal program funding ($1.363 million).