Flynn details DOT capacity and hiring ramp-up
Flynn says the administration made a historic funding commitment and DOT is hiring additional staff, expanding contractor capacity, and investing in facilities and equipment. He expects record output and asks the Council to preserve flexibility so DOT can focus on data-driven projects.
The progress we've made under Vision Zero is remarkable, but we aren't satisfied.
Not when New Yorkers are still losing their lives on our streets.
When Mayor Mamdani announced my appointment as DOT Commissioner, he made clear our bold ambition to make our streetscape the envy of the world.
And that starts with safety.
In just nine and a half months, we've reinvigorated the work at our agency.
We've advanced long-delayed street redesigns, we have ambitious new projects in the pipeline, and we're scaling up all the foundational resources we need to do more and do it faster.
hiring additional staff, expanding work capacity with contractors, investing in new facilities and equipment, and so much more.
I expect that this year we'll see record output at DOT in terms of both quantity and quality, and we'll set a new high-water mark each and every year.
We have a clear roadmap for where we're headed and we're laser focused on delivering.
We want to keep our eye on the ball by following the data, prioritizing the projects that will have the greatest impact, and directing resources towards where they're most needed.
We see the Council as a vital partner in this work.
We share your commitment to street safety and welcome ideas and oversight.
However, discretion and flexibility are critical to our success.
In order for DOT to keep improving safety outcomes on our streets, it's vital we preserve our focus on the projects and initiatives that have the greatest data-driven impact.
In the past, we've seen well-intentioned mandates curb our ability to adapt to the changing needs of the city's streetscapes.
We're excited to work with Council to strike that balance and implement the most impactful projects possible.
My ambition for DOT, and it's shared throughout the organization, is simple, to execute with purpose and urgency because lives truly depend on it.