BILL NUMBER: S9056
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to establishing a comprehensive study examining high-
way safety standards and necessary worker protection improvements
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to direct the New York State Department of
Transportation to commission an independent, comprehensive study evalu-
ating current highway work zone safety standards and identifying poten-
tial improvements to better protect road construction workers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Background and Intent
Section 2: Requires the Commissioner of Transportation to enter a
contract with a third-party entity to conduct a comprehensive study of
worker safety on highway road projects throughout New York State.
Section 3: Discusses the results and findings. Section 4: Outlines what
the study needs to evaluate.
Section 5: A final report must be submitted within one year of the
effective date of the act and made publicly available.
Section 6: The effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Road construction workers face increasingly dangerous conditions such as
New York's aging highway and road infrastructure requires more frequent
and complex repairs. These projects often take place during periods of
high traffic volume, increasing congestion and the risk of work zone
intrusions and serious injuries. Despite New York State's strong commit-
ment to worker safety, recent data from the Department of Transportation
indicates that in 2024 and 2025 there was a significant amount of work
zone intrusions, worker injuries, and even two fatalities in highway
work zones.
This legislation provides a structured, data-driven approach to assess-
ing whether existing regulations adequately protect roadway workers and
identifying proven best practices that could further enhance safety. By
engaging stakeholders and examining national and international models,
the study will equip policymakers with the information necessary to make
informed decisions about potential future reforms while balancing safe-
ty, feasibility, and cost considerations.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This bill will have a minimal fiscal impact to the State and no fiscal
impact to local governments. The cost of contracting with a third-party
entity to conduct the study could be covered by preexisting resources.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.