New York State Thruway Authority

CURRENT FUNCTIONS. This public corporation is responsible for constructing, maintaining, and operating a central highway route across New York State. The authority is empowered to issue bonds to finance its operation, acquire property rights along the highway route, enter into contracts to construct and maintain the road, and collect tolls and other fees for road use.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY. The Thruway Authority was created as a public corporation in 1950 (Chapter 143). The 559-mile Thurway was completed in 1960, connecting New York City with Buffalo, and having additional links to expressways in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In 1964 the highway system was officially named The Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway.

The Thruway Authority operates without State financial assistance, although the State guaranteed half the bond issue used to finance initial road construction. This bond debt and ongoing operational costs are paid for by the proceeds of tolls and fees. The authority is governed by a board of three members serving nine-year terms, appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate.

The New York State Thruway was built to accommodate the huge post-war increase in motor vehicle traffic, particularly trucking; to encourage recreational travel; and to anticipate defense needs. Planning began in 1942. Groundbreaking at five sites along the route took place in 1946. Initially the Department of Public Works, drawing on state general capital construction funds, was responsible for the project. This arrangement proved to be a tremendous drain on state funds. The Thruway Authority was created as a public corporation in 1950 (Chapter 143). In 1951, a constitutional amendment allowing the state to guarantee the authority's bonds appeared on the November ballot. The Department of Public Works mounted a large public relations campaign to sell the 1951 constitutional amendment, which passed by a four-to-one margin, and put the authority into operation. The 559-mile Thruway was completed in 1960, connecting New York City with Buffalo, and having additional links to expressways in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In 1964 the highway system was officially named The Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway.

In 1992 (Chapter 766), the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation relating to the State's canal system were transferred to the Thruway Authority. The same legislation created the New York State Canal Corporation, a public benefit corporation that is a subsidiary corporation within the Thruway Authority. The Canal Corporation was given the power to finance, operate, maintain, construct, and promote the State's canal system. A legislative amendment in 1993 (Chapter 243) required the Thruway Authority to consider the historic nature of the canal system and its buildings, sites, and districts in making decisions about maintenance and development of the system.

The Thruway Authority operates without State financial assistance, although the State guaranteed half the bond issue used to finance initial road construction. This bond debt and ongoing operational costs are paid for by the proceeds of tolls and fees. The authority is governed by a board of three members, appointed by the governor.