City Hall, NY – Ahead of the City Council’s Executive Budget hearing by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Finance on Tuesday at 10 AM, the Council identified remaining gaps in funding for transportation and infrastructure programs within the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget that leave key initiatives unfunded. While roadway repair, maintenance, inspection, and traffic operations funding were addressed with the inclusion of $1.5 billion in Department of Transportation (DOT) funding in the Mayor’s Executive Budget, up $34.6 million from the preliminary plan, key program investments remain missing. These omissions include $40 million that was requested for street resurfacing.

The following programs were outlined in the Council’s Preliminary Budget Response, but were left out of the Mayor’s FY26 Executive Budget.

Street Resurfacing

DOT’s in-house roadway resurfacing and pothole repairs have decreased compared to previous years. The Council identified street resurfacing as its main priority and area of concern regarding DOT in the Council’s FY2026 Preliminary Budget Response. The Council budget response called on the Administration to provide an additional $40 million in capital funding for street resurfacing, which would allow DOT to repave up to 1,300 lane miles annually. The Administration has not allocated any funding for this request.

Dining Out NYC

The Executive Plan includes an additional $3.8 million in City funding and eight positions in Fiscal 2026 for operational and demolition work related to the Dining Out NYC program. The positions were previously added in the November Plan for FY 2025 only, and $800,000 supports the positions in FY 2026. Additionally, $3 million was added for demolition contracts and other operational expenditures for the program. However, this is one-time funding for FY26, and the Council is requesting additional baselined funding for Dining Out NYC to support the program every year.

Open Streets

The Open Streets program transforms streets into public spaces that allow for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, facilitate pedestrian and bike mobility, and provide new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community. The Executive Plan includes $2.1 million in additional City funding in FY26 for the Open Streets program to support the program at the current level for the next fiscal year. However, this one-year funding does not address other investment needs identified for Open Streets and the organizations that manage them.

“This budget must meet the moment for working families who rely on public transit and critical services,” said Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “Expanding Fair Fares to cover New Yorkers earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level is critical to ensuring equitable access to jobs, education, and healthcare. At the same time, the Administration must commit the staffing and funding necessary for DOT to meet the legally mandated benchmarks in the Streets Plan, especially for bus lane infrastructure. I urge the Administration to fund the expansion of the Open Streets program, ensure DOT has the resources to process outdoor dining applications efficiently, and provide adequate and appropriate allocations for MWBE contracts. It is equally important that we safeguard and fully utilize federal funding opportunities that support our transportation infrastructure. Finally, I call on the Administration to provide $300,000 for the Far Rockaway Trauma Center land transfer fee to ensure we further advance this critically needed healthcare facility in Southeast Queens.”

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