The New York State Thruway Authority keeps 570 miles of roadway and 819 bridges safe each winter using a combination of experienced crews, new snow-fighting equipment, and advanced technology.
The New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) maintains 570 miles of roadway and 819 bridges connecting New York’s principal cities, rural areas and tourist destinations. Although the roadway is more than 70 years old, NYSTA uses modern strategies and technology to ensure motorists and crews travel safely during the snow and ice season.
Maintenance sections stay fully staffed to ensure continuous support throughout the season, and a retiree program brings experienced workers back to support winter operations. This year, NYSTA is deploying nearly 60 new pieces of snow-fighting equipment statewide, including 42 heavy-duty plow trucks, 9 medium-duty plows, loaders, skid steers with snowblowers and snow pushers.
NYSTA is also introducing a snowplow tracking system that uses existing wiring harnesses on heavy-duty plows to share real-time data with navigation apps like Waze. This feature alerts drivers to plow activity and potential hazards ahead, helping motorists navigate safely while protecting plow operators.
NYSTA balances safety with environmental responsibility through advanced technology and best practices. Plows use GPS to track location, treated routes and material application rates. Integrated computerized spreader controllers automatically adjust output based on truck speed and reduce salt use by 20 percent when liquid pre-wetting systems are active. Pavement sensors provide real-time temperature data, enabling operators to fine-tune application rates to actual conditions. After a storm, NYSTA reviews data on material usage, equipment performance, routing and response times to improve efficiency and sustainability.
To learn more about the New York State Thruway Authority visit their website here.
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