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Transportation officials in Albany are urging state lawmakers to enhance highway work zone safety by making speed enforcement cameras permanent. At a meeting on Wednesday (March 26), they advocated for the inclusion of these cameras in Governor Kathy Hochul's budget proposal. The cameras, initially set up as part of a pilot program at Thruway and Department of Transportation sites, have already led to over 400,000 citations for speeding drivers.
Governor Hochul's plan aims to make the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program permanent and expand it to include MTA Bridges and Tunnels and New York State Bridge Authority properties. The program has shown success in reducing speeding, with fewer citations issued in areas where cameras have been repeatedly deployed. According to Governor Hochul, "By permanently driving down speeds in work zones, I am working to strengthen our laws to ensure these dedicated workers can make it home safe themselves."
The proposal also includes enhanced penalties for assaults against transportation workers, extending protections similar to those for MTA and retail workers. New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare stated, "It's been a successful program... making it permanent is part of the Governor's efforts to make the workplace safer."
The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve transportation safety across New York, as outlined in Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State Address. This includes investments in public transit, road infrastructure, and enhanced safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists. The AWZSE program's expansion and permanence are expected to be key components of the final state budget, with strong support from various transportation and labor leaders.