The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the state’s vast transportation network. To efficiently manage this extensive system, NYSDOT divides the state into 11 distinct regions. Each region is responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining transportation infrastructure within its designated counties. Understanding these regions can be helpful for residents, businesses, and anyone traveling within New York State to connect with the appropriate NYSDOT contacts and resources. This guide will walk you through each of the 11 NYSDOT regions, outlining the counties they cover and providing a glimpse into their unique characteristics.
Region 1 – Capital District
Serving the Capital District, Region 1 is responsible for a large area encompassing nine cities, 45 villages, and 108 towns. This region caters to approximately 1 million customers across 6,580 square miles. The NYSDOT teams in Region 1 diligently maintain 5,300 highway lane-miles and oversee 828 state bridges, ensuring safe and efficient travel for commuters and businesses alike. Region 1 also works closely with the Capital District Transportation Committee and the Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organizations for the area, to coordinate transportation planning and projects. Furthermore, the region’s transportation infrastructure includes seven publicly owned and 12 privately owned airports, highlighting its diverse transportation network.
| Counties | Albany | Essex | Greene | Rensselaer | Saratoga | Schenectady | Warren | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 2 – Mohawk Valley
Region 2, known as the Mohawk Valley Region, is staffed by 620 full-time professionals dedicated to serving around 480,000 residents. This region spans six counties and covers 6,146 square miles, including 8 cities, 53 villages, and 89 towns. NYSDOT Region 2 maintains 1,335 centerline miles of state highways and 482 state bridges, ensuring the smooth flow of traffic throughout the Mohawk Valley. The region is also responsible for 95 miles of the Amtrak Line, contributing to inter-city rail transportation.
| Counties | Hamilton | Herkimer | Fulton | Madison | Montgomery | Oneida |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 3 – Central New York
Located in the heart of Central New York, Region 3 is a vital transportation hub. It encompasses six counties – Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, and Tompkins – and serves a population of approximately 850,000 people living in six cities, 49 villages, and 97 towns. Region 3’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Penn-Can Highway (I-81) and the New York State Thruway (I-90) makes it a critical link in the state’s transportation network. NYSDOT in Region 3 ensures the efficient movement of goods and people through this central corridor.
| Counties | Cayuga | Cortland | Onondaga | Oswego | Seneca | Tompkins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 4 – Genesee Valley
Region 4, serving the Genesee Valley, is comprised of seven counties in Western New York. NYSDOT employees in this region are dedicated to serving over one million residents. The region has experienced stable population levels and plays a vital role in connecting communities and facilitating commerce in Western New York.
| Counties | Monroe | Ontario | Livingston | Orleans | Genesee | Wyoming | Wayne |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 5 – Western New York
Headquartered in Buffalo, NYSDOT Region 5 serves four counties in Western New York: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara. This region is crucial for transportation in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area and surrounding rural communities. NYSDOT Region 5 is instrumental in maintaining the infrastructure that supports both urban and rural transportation needs in this part of the state.
| Counties | Cattaraugus | Chautauqua | Erie | Niagara |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 6 – Southern Tier/Central New York
Region 6 serves the Southern Tier/Central New York area, encompassing the counties of Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates. NYSDOT’s presence in Region 6 is vital for connecting the communities within the Central Southern Tier of New York State and ensuring safe and reliable transportation across this region.
| Counties | Allegany | Chemung | Schuyler | Steuben | Yates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 7 – North Country
NYSDOT Region 7 is the largest in the state, covering a vast 8,643 square miles across five counties in the North Country. Despite its size, the region serves a population of roughly 400,000, which has grown due to military expansion at Fort Drum and the presence of state correctional facilities. Employees in Region 7 are responsible for the extensive transportation system in this largely rural part of New York, ensuring connectivity and mobility for its residents and visitors.
| Counties | Clinton | Franklin | Jefferson | Lewis | St Lawrence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 8 – Hudson Valley
Region 8, serving the lower Hudson Valley, is characterized by its proximity to the Hudson River, a major waterway designated as one of the Great American Rivers. Each county in Region 8 borders this historic river, which supports both commercial and recreational navigation. The Hudson Valley region, served by NYSDOT Region 8, is renowned for its scenic beauty and historical significance, attracting tourists and residents alike.
| Counties | Columbia | Dutchess | Orange | Putnam | Rockland | Ulster | Westchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 9 – Southern Tier
NYSDOT Region 9, headquartered in Binghamton, covers a significant portion of the Southern Tier, encompassing 6,238 square miles. This region is known for its rich Native American heritage, reflected in place names like Susquehanna and Oneonta, and its location within the Central Leatherstocking Area and extending into the Catskill Region. Region 9 shares its southern border with Pennsylvania, traversing the Endless Mountains and the Delaware River, adding to its diverse geographical landscape.
| Counties | Broome | Chenango | Delaware | Otsego | Schoharie | Sullivan | Tioga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region 10 – Long Island
Region 10 of the NYSDOT is responsible for Long Island, a densely populated area with over 2.8 million residents in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Despite its smaller geographic area, Region 10 manages a complex transportation network serving 13 towns, 2 cities, and 95 villages. NYSDOT personnel in Region 10 maintain approximately 5,300 state highway lane miles and 546 bridges, ensuring the smooth flow of traffic in this bustling region.
| Counties | Nassau | Suffolk |
|---|---|---|
Region 11 – New York City
Region 11 is NYSDOT’s New York City region, serving a massive population of approximately 7.5 million people within a compact 308 square mile area. This region encompasses the five boroughs: The Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Managing transportation in one of the world’s largest and most complex urban environments, NYSDOT Region 11 plays a critical role in keeping New York City moving.
| Counties | Bronx | Kings | New York | Queens | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
By understanding the regional structure of the New York State Department of Transportation, you can better navigate the state’s transportation resources and connect with the specific NYSDOT office responsible for your area. Whether you are a resident, business owner, or traveler, this regional guide provides valuable insights into the organization that keeps New York moving.
