New York (State). Dept. of Transportation.

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1883
Active 1976
Active 1848
Active 1868
Active 1848
Active 1858
Active 1924
Active 1926
Active 1828
Active 1915
Active 1977
Active 1984
Active 1834
Active 1905
Active 1840
Active 1920
Active 1931
Active 1977
Active 1940
Active 1978
Active 1932
Active 1989
Active 1924
Active 1990
Active 1949
Active 1974
Active 1959
Active 1972
Active 1945
Active 1975
Active 1950
Active 1966
Active 1914
Active 1923
Active 1954
Active 1984

History notes:

The Adirondack Highway Council was appointed by Governor Wilson in 1974 to preserve and enhance the special character of the Adirondack region while promoting cooperation among state agencies holding shared jurisdiction for transportation planning and environmental protection in the Adirondack Park. The Council included agency representatives from the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as private citizens representing local government and environmental and economic interests of the North Country. The first meeting was in January 1975.

The council coordinated state efforts to enhance scenic and recreational values in the Adirondack Park by providing efficient transportation systems in keeping with the character of the area. It resolved issues relating to the state land master plan (SLMP) and the environmental action plan, and encouraged active citizen participation in planning and policy matters. The council was initiated by DOT commissioner Raymond T. Schuler in response to suggestions by the APA and concerned citizens of the Association for Protection of the Adirondacks. William C. Henessy (then assistant comissioner, and later commissioner of the Dept. of Transportation) was appointed chairman. To gain federal funds the council developed standards to meet guidelines for highways in national parks (scenic overlooks, inconspicuous guide rails, and rights of way closely bordered by mature trees).

From the description of Correspondence and issues files of the Adirondack Highway Council, 1977-1984. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 122687930

The Federal Highway Act of 1921 required a state wishing to receive Federal highway aid to obtain approval of its designated system from the Bureau of Public Roads in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This responsibility was transferred to the Public Roads Administration in the Federal Works Agency in 1939, and to the reestablished bureau of Public Roads in the Department of Commerce in 1949. The Bureau of Public Roads became part of the Federal Highway Administration in the new Department of Transportation in 1967. Laws of 1936 specifically required the New York Superintendent of Public Works " to comply with federal aid highway acts." The Commissioner of Transportation assumed this responsibility in 1967. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 required the states to prepare entirely new maps and descriptions of their Federal aid primary, secondary, interstate, and urban highways systems. This realignment was completed in New York in 1977, and the present series was closed.

From the description of Route books for Federal-Aid highways, 1931-1977. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 80289267

The origins of this department can be traced to the Dutch office of surveyor general established in 1642 to survey the lands of the Province of New Netherland. The office was continued under the British colonial government and reestablished after New York became a state (Laws of 1781, Chapter 32). The surveyor general was appointed by the Council of Appointment until 1821, when the new constitution provided for election by the legislature. Surveying the public lands continued to be the principal function of the office.

The major State involvement in transportation during the nineteenth century was the development of the canal system. Commissioners were appointed in 1810 and 1811 to report on possibilities for inland navigation in the State. In 1816 (Chapter 237), the legislature appointed five commissioners to oversee construction of a canal between the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. The following year (Laws of 1817, Chapter 262), the commissioners were made a permanent Board of Canal Commissioners, authorized to build canals between the Hudson River and Lake Erie, with branches to Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. The same law established the commissioners of the canal fund, including the surveyor general, to administer a Canal Fund derived from canal tolls, other State revenues, and donations of land. After the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, legislation established a Canal Board comprised of the canal commissioners and the commissioners of the canal fund to fix tolls, make regulations, and hire employees (Laws of 1826, Chapter 314).

The Constitution of 1846 established the office of state engineer and surveyor. This office assumed the duties of the abolished surveyor general and was also given responsibility for carrying out engineering and surveying work on the canals. The Canal Board continued to appoint division canal superintendents and their staffs, but these people were to work at the direction of the State Engineer and Surveyor (Laws of 1848, Chapter 72).

An 1876 constitutional amendment abolished the office of canal commissioners and created the office of superintendent of public works, appointed by the governor. The superintendent was charged with executing all laws relating to canal maintenance and navigation except for those functions performed by the state engineer and surveyor, who continued to prepare maps, plans, and estimates for canal construction and improvement. The Canal Board (now consisting of the superintendent of public works, the state engineer and surveyor, and the commissioners of the canal fund) continued to handle hiring of employees and other personnel matters. The Barge Canal Law of 1903 (Chapter 147) directed the Canal Board to oversee the enlargement of and improvements to the Erie, Champlain, and Oswego Canals.

The Department of Highways was established in 1908 (Chapter 330) to supervise bridges and highways financed by State funds. The department was originally headed by three commissioners appointed by the governor. A 1911 law (Chapter 646) designated the superintendent of highways, the state engineer and surveyor, and superintendent of public works act as highway commissioners. In 1913 (Chapter 80), a single highway commissioner replaced the commissioners.

A 1923 law (Chapter 867) established the Department of Public Works, headed by the superintendent of public works. This department consolidated the offices of the superintendent of public works; superintendent and trustees of public buildings (established by Laws of 1909, Chapter 48, to care for all State buildings in Albany); Department of Highways; and Commission on Boundary Waters between the United States and Canada (created in 1920 to study the feasibility of a bridge between the United States and Canada; this commission included the state engineer and surveyor, superintendent of public works and several other State officials).

Pursuant to the reorganization of 1925-26, the Canal Board and the state engineer and surveyor were abolished and their functions assigned to the Department of Public Works. The commissioners of the canal fund were abolished, and responsibility for the fund was transferred to the Department of Audit and Control.

Enabling legislation in 1926 (Chapter 348) established five divisions in the Deparment of Public Works: canals and waterways, highways, public building, engineering, and architecture. The department also absorbed the former Department of Architecture (created as the office of state architect in 1899 as the successor to the office of capitol commissioner, then established as a department by Laws of 1914, Chapter 111, to prepare plans and specifications for State buildings); Bureau of Housing and Regional Planning (established within the Department of Architecture by Laws of 1923 Chapter 694); Salt Water Bays Commission (established in 1923, to survey waters of eastern Long Island); and Office of Harbor Masters (appointed by the governor after 1911 to regulate vessels in certain port cities north of New York City).

The Department of Public Works was reorganized in 1943 into three divisions: administration, construction, and operation and maintenance. An architecture division was added in 1955 and a finance and planning division in 1964.

The Department of Public Works was abolished in 1967 (Chapter 717), and its responsibilities for transportation planning, construction, and operation, including maintenance of the State barge canal system, were transferred to the new Department of Transportation. Also assigned to the new department were the duties and staff of the Office of Transportation (established in the Executive Department in 1959 to advise the governor on transportation policy); the duties and staff of the State Traffic Commission (created in 1936 to regulate traffic lights and signs, highway speeds, and safety programs); and the aviation functions of the Department of Commerce. Flood control, shore protection, and beach erosion control functions formerly exercised by the Department of Public Works were transferred to the Conservation Department. The duties and functions of the Architecture Division were transferred to the Office of General Services. In 1970, the department assumed from the Public Service Commission the regulatory functions relating to common carriers.

From the New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY. Agency record NYSV86-A387

The New York State Department of Public Works was established in 1923 through a piece of legislation, in which the superintendent of public works would be in charge. It consolidated the offices of the superintendent of public works, superintendent and trustees of public buildings, Department of Highways and Commission on Boundary Waters between the United States and Canada. After the 1925-1926 abolishment of the Canal Board and state engineer and surveyor, the functions previously carried out by these departments were transferred to the Department of Public Works. In 1926 legislation established five divisions within the department. These divisions consisted of canals and waterways, highways, public building, engineering and architecture. It also absorbed the former Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Housing and Regional Planning, Salt Water Bays Commission and Office of Harbor Masters. Later in 1943 the department was reorganized into three divisions: administration, construction, and operation and maintenance. An architecture division was added in 1955 and a finance and planning division was created in 1964. The Department of Public Works was abolished in 1967 and most of its responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Transportation. Flood control, shore protection and beach erosion control were handed over to the Conservation Department, while the Architecture division was transferred to the Office of General Services.

From the description of Guide to the New York State Department of Transportation photographic collection for Erie County. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 760325370

This volume contains maps of urban area boundaries compiled by the district offices of the Department of Public Works (after 1967 the Department of Transportation) and submitted to the U.S. Public Roads Administration for approval. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 authorized special aid for highways lying within urban areas (defined as incorporated cities or villages of 5000 or more population plus surrounding unincorporated areas which were urbanized). State wishing to obtain this special highway aid had to have maps of the urban areas approved.

From the description of Federal-Aid urban area boundary maps, 1945-1975. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 81814929

CURRENT FUNCTIONS. The Department of Transportation is responsible for planning, construction, maintenance, and supervision for New York's transportation network and infrastructure, including the State and local highway systems, canal system, five major ports, bus lines and public transportation organizations, and public and private airports.

To fulfill these functions, the department engages in a number of activities, including coordinating and developing transportation policy and planning; coordinating and assisting in the planning, construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of transportation facilities and services, including highway, canal, rail, mass transit, port, and aviation facilities; planning for development of public and private commuter and general transportation facilities; administering a public safety program for rail and motor carriers in intrastate commerce; regulating rates and services of transportation corporations in the public interest; and investigating accidents on public transportation systems and evaluating the safety of such systems. A commissioner of transportation, appointed by the governor, is the administrative head of the department.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY. The origins of this department can be traced to the Dutch office of surveyor general established in 1642 to survey the lands of the Province of New Netherland. The office was continued under the British colonial government and reestablished after New York became a state (Laws of 1781, Chapter 32). The surveyor general was appointed by the Council of Appointment until 1821, when the new constitution provided for election by the legislature. Surveying the public lands continued to be the principal function of the office.

The major State involvement in transportation during the nineteenth century was the development of the canal system. Commissioners were appointed in 1810 and 1811 to report on possibilities for inland navigation in the State. In 1816 (Chapter 237), the legislature appointed five commissioners to oversee construction of a canal between the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. The following year (Laws of 1817, Chapter 262), the commissioners were made a permanent Board of Canal Commissioners, authorized to build canals between the Hudson River and Lake Erie, with branches to Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. The same law established the commissioners of the canal fund, including the surveyor general, to administer a Canal Fund derived from canal tolls, other State revenues, and donations of land. After the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, legislation established a Canal Board comprised of the canal commissioners and the commissioners of the canal fund to fix tolls, make regulations, and hire employees (Laws of 1826, Chapter 314).

The Constitution of 1846 established the office of state engineer and surveyor. This office assumed the duties of the abolished surveyor general and was also given responsibility for carrying out engineering and surveying work on the canals. The Canal Board continued to appoint division canal superintendents and their staffs, but these people were to work at the direction of the State Engineer and Surveyor (Laws of 1848, Chapter 72).

An 1876 consitutional amendment abolished the office of canal commissioners and created the office of superintendent of public works, appointed by the governor. The superintendent was charged with executing all laws relating to canal maintenance and navigation except for those functions performed by the state engineer and surveyor, who continued to prepare maps, plans, and estimates for canal construction and improvement. The Canal Board (now consisting of the superintendent of public works, the state engineer and surveyor, and the commissioners of the canal fund) continued to handle hiring of employees and other personnel matters. The Barge Canal Law of 1903 (Chapter 147) directed the Canal Board to oversee the enlargement of and improvements to the Erie, Champlain, and Oswego Canals.

The Department of Highways was established in 1908 (Chapter 330) to supervise bridges and highways financed by State funds. The department was originally headed by three commissioners appointed by the governor. A 1911 law (Chapter 646) designated the superintendent of highways, the state engineer and surveyor, and superintendent of public works act as highway commissioners. In 1913 (Chapter 80), a single highway commissioner replaced the commissioners.

A 1923 law (Chapter 867) established the Department of Public Works, headed by the superintendent of public works. This department consolidated the offices of the superintendent of public works; superintendent and trustees of public buildings (established by Laws of 1909, Chapter 48, to care for all State buildings in Albany); Department of Highways; and Commission on Boundary Waters between the United States and Canada (created in 1920 to study the feasibility of a bridge between the United States and Canada; this commission included the state engineer and surveyor, superintendent of public works and several other State officials).

Pursuant to the reorganization of 1925-26, the Canal Board and the state engineer and surveyor were abolished and their functions assigned to the Department of Public Works. The commissioners of the canal fund were abolished, and responsibility for the fund was transferred to the Department of Audit and Control.

Enabling legislation in 1926 (Chapter 348) established five divisions in the Deparment of Public Works: canals and waterways, highways, public building, engineering, and architecture. The department also absorbed the former Department of Architecture (created as the office of state architect in 1899 as the successor to the office of capitol commissioner, then established as a department by Laws of 1914, Chapter 111, to prepare plans and specifications for State buildings); Bureau of Housing and Regional Planning (established within the Department of Architecture by Laws of 1923 Chapter 694); Salt Water Bays Commission (established in 1923, to survey waters of eastern Long Island); and Office of Harbor Masters (appointed by the governor after 1911 to regulate vessels in certain port cities north of New York City).

The Department of Public Works was reorganized in 1943 into three divisions: administration, construction, and operation and maintenance. An architecture division was added in 1955 and a finance and planning division in 1964.

The Department of Public Works was abolished in 1967 (Chapter 717), and its responsibilities for transportation planning, construction, and operation, including maintenance of the State barge canal system, were transferred to the new Department of Transportation. Also assigned to the new department were the duties and staff of the Office of Transportation (established in the Executive Department in 1959 to advise the governor on transportation policy); the duties and staff of the State Traffic Commission (created in 1936 to regulate traffic lights and signs, highway speeds, and safety programs); and the aviation functions of the Department of Commerce. Flood control, shore protection, and beach erosion control functions formerly exercised by the Department of Public Works were transferred to the Conservation Department. The duties and functions of the Architecture Division were transferred to the Office of General Services. In 1970, the department assumed from the Public Service Commission the regulatory functions relating to common carriers.

From the description of Department of Transportation Agency History Record. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 122315028

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Subjects:

  • Traffic accidents
  • Aerial photogrammetry
  • Aerial photography in road surveying
  • Bridges
  • Concrete bridges
  • Canals
  • Canals
  • Claims
  • Flood control
  • Flood damage prevention
  • Highway engineering
  • Highway research
  • Highways
  • Locks (Hydraulic engineering)
  • Parks
  • Planning transportation
  • Public works
  • Railroad bridges
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Transportation
  • Transportation and state
  • Viaducts
  • Winter Olympics
  • Canals
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Roads
  • Roads

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • Erie Canal (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York State Canal System (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Adirondack Park (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York State Thruway (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Erie County (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Livingston County (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Niagara County (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Genesee Valley Canal (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • North Country (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York State Forest Preserve (as recorded)
  • Adirondack Mountain Reserve (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Buffalo (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (State) (as recorded)

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