Special Infrastructure Account

Budget Highlights

The FY 2017 Executive Budget includes $1.25 billion for the Special Infrastructure Account that will fund investment across a wide range of infrastructure projects throughout New York State, from large-scale infrastructure projects and complex program enhancements, to smaller strategically critical needs in project funding. Specific investments include:

• Thruway Stabilization Plan ($700 million): The Budget invests $700 million in Thruway infrastructure, on top of last year’s commitment of $1.285 billion. This two-year investment of nearly $2 billion will support both the New NY Bridge project and other transportation infrastructure needs on the rest of the Thruway’s core system across the State. Further, it will allow the Thruway to be able to freeze tolls for all drivers until 2020.
• Transportation Capital Plan ($200 million): The Executive Budget reflects a $22 billion multi-year capital plan to upgrade critical roads, bridges, and other vital transportation infrastructure throughout the state - especially in Upstate. This includes $1 billion each for the BRIDGE NY and PAVE NY programs to replace, rehabilitate, pave and maintain state and local bridges and roads, as well as $500 million for the Extreme Weather Infrastructure Hardening program, which will make investments in roadways across the state susceptible to flooding and other extreme weather related events. The Budget allocates $200 million in settlement funds towards transportation infrastructure projects across the State, consistent with the capital plan.
• Economic Development ($255 million): The Budget supports critically-needed economic development purposes, to continue driving growth across New York State. This includes $170 million in settlement funds to support Upstate Revitalization Initiative projects that restore economic opportunity to regions across upstate New York. Modeled on the Buffalo Billion initiative and the existing structure of the Regional Economic Development Councils, this initiative targets investment to economically-distressed Upstate regions. These additional funds are available to the four regions (North Country, Capital District, Mohawk Valley and Mid-Hudson) that were eligible for the first round of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative but were not a 2015 Best Plan Awardee. An additional $85 million of settlement funds will support other transformative economic development and infrastructure projects.
• Homeless and Affordable Housing ($50 million): The Executive Budget includes a comprehensive multi-year investment in affordable housing and services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Funding will be used to expand efforts to create, improve, and preserve homeless and affordable housing opportunities through a statewide multiagency housing and community development program, and to promote efforts to revitalize neighborhoods across the state, and to support the State’s emergency homeless response.
• Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative ($25 million): The Budget includes $25 million of new funding to significantly expand the anti-poverty initiative in social services districts outside of New York City. Capital resources are made available for rehabilitation of facilities that prevent hunger and provide nutrition assistance.
• Municipal Consolidation ($20 million): To help lower the cost of government and reduce the burden placed on property taxpayers, $20 million is used to advance and enhance programs that encourage local municipal government consolidations.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/13/2016

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