New York Infrastructure Bank Begins Funding Projects, Just Days After Creation

Andrea Bernstein reports on the recent announcement of $1.2 billion in road and bridge project funding by the New York Works infrastructure bank, just days after its creation and before appointees to its administrative committee could even be named.

1 minute read

April 4, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Governor Andrew Cuomo sure isn't wasting any time in utilizing New York State's new $15 billion infrastructure bank. Just days after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the funding bill for his "New York Works" infrastructure bank into law, the Governor announced yesterday a raft of accelerated statewide road and bridge projects.

According to Bernstein, "The funding will accelerate road and bridge projects across the state, with the largest single payment - nearly half a billion dollars - going to replace the Kosciuszko Bridge between Brooklyn and Queens in New York City...The $1.2 billion in accelerated funding comes on top of $1.6 billion in previously planned spending on roads and bridges. It does not include the more than $5 billion replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge, a project which has drawn fire for its lack of mass transit."

Although the selected projects are seen as necessary, the announcement was not without its critics, who raised concerns with the bank's "disbursement of funds before its governing structure has even been named."

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Transportation Nation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

1 hour ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company