Critiquing Gov. Cuomo's Attention to Roads and Highways

New York Governor Cuomo has taken heat for his neglect of New York City's subway system and for overspending on splashy projects like the Tappan Zee. His track record on the state's system of roads and highways is also now called into question.

1 minute read

November 6, 2018, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tappan Zee Bridge

Enfi / Shutterstock

E.J. McMahon offers strong criticism of New York Governor Andrew J. Cuomo's legacy as the custodian of the state's infrastructure:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s effort to campaign for re-election as a master builder of new infrastructure has been undermined by headlines about New York City’s crumbling subway system. Meanwhile, much less public and political attention is being paid to his management of another major transportation asset: the New York state highway system.

McMahon identifies similarities between the two modes of transportation infrastructure: "a focus on megaprojects, frills and quick fixes at the expense of essential but more costly long-term repairs."

McMahon's scathing critique comes just weeks after Gov. Cuomo celebrated the opening of the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge, named for former and late Governor Mario M Cuomo, the current governor's father. The new bridge is the poster child for the priority on splashy new projects. The bridge cost an estimated $3.9 billion to build, but also had to close shortly after opening due to risks from the old bridge.

Monday, October 29, 2018 in New York Post

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nithya Ramen talks to an older man. She is smiling and wearing a yellow dress. They are both outside.

Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor

Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.

November 7 - Los Angeles Times

Mamdani behind a microphone, in front of a snowbank

Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge

A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.

November 6 - CNN

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.