The New York State Department of Transportation is gearing up for snow and ice season.

What You Need To Know

  • There are more socially distanced work areas for TMC operators

  • There are also upgraded Telex Systems for direct communication with 911 and road supervisors

  • Three hundred new traffic cameras have been added across NYS

They have their eyes on the roadways for you with new traffic cameras and equipment in their upgraded Transportation Management Center for Region Three.

"Basically what we can do is, we can talk directly with 911, or our supervisors that may be out in the field," says Sean Hennessey, NYSDOT's assistant commissioner of operations.

Region Three’s Traffic Management Center recently underwent a complete renovation.

"It’s brighter, it’s better laid out. The staff are gonna have socially distanced workspace. And we’re going to be able to monitor our live cameras. All the way from Watertown to Tully and Baldwinsville all the way to Dewitt," says Hennessey.

The new layout of the center is strategic, too.

"[It's a] hodgepodge of technology, and, of the office equipment itself," Hennessey said. "So this has really standardized the format, and gave us more monitors."

Upgrades aren’t limited to the office.

"Governor Cuomo announced that we had 300 new cameras coming across the state. Some of those are permanently mounted and some of those are mobile units that we can move wherever we want," says Hennessey. "So we can get real time views as you see. Of what’s happening on the roadway whether it’s raining or snowing or maybe there’s a crash that’s happened. These mobile units are actually can be hooked to any truck that we utilize. And moved to virtually any location."

Hennessey says this investment now will pay off later.

"Direct impact on the economy from our roadways is immense. So to be able to address issues that we may have in the field quickly and efficiently, it's worth every penny that we spent," says Hennessey.

The information and live camera feeds that the TMC has are right at your fingertips, too, on 511ny.org.

"What 511ny does, it gives you on-time, real time interpretations of what the roadway is like. Lags, delays, closures, accidents that might be happening," says Hennessey.

Hennessey urges commuters to use this upgraded resource and get ready for the changing weather.

"Our plows are gonna be out shortly; do some social distancing between you and our plows," Hennessey said.