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Q&A

Sanchez on bus lane cost per mile

New York City Council · May 29, 2026 · starts 0:58:17 · 46 sec

Sanchez asks for average cost per bus lane mile. Beaton explains costs vary significantly, with red paint at about $4 per square foot, and different lengths and intersection configurations affecting totals.

Justin Sanchez

On average, how much will each bus lane cost to install?

Justin Sanchez

Please be specific.

Mike Flynn

I might need a moment for that one.

Justin Sanchez

Take your time.

Igor Yaroslavsky

Do we have that?

Eric Beaton

Yeah, I mean, it does vary quite a bit.

Eric Beaton

You know, just for example, the red paint is about $4 a square foot in round numbers.

Eric Beaton

But different lengths of bus lane, if there's more intersections, then you don't have the red paint through the intersection.

Eric Beaton

The costs are not the same for every.

Eric Beaton

Every mile in the city.

Eric Beaton

So this is a tremendous investment that the city has gotten us.

Eric Beaton

It's why we are planning it out street by street and rather than just saying, here's an average, we're going to use this money to do as many bus lanes as we possibly can.

Justin Sanchez

Thank you.