Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez Presents Management Report Highlighting Record Gains in Street Safety, Public Space, M/WBE Participation, and the Release of “Reimagining Transportation”

By José Miguel Reyes

New York, December 6, 2025 – Surrounded by commissioners, transportation executives, and community leaders, New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez presented a comprehensive balance of his four-year tenure at the helm of the nation’s largest and most complex municipal transportation system. The event took place at EmblemHealth’s event halls in the iconic 55 Water Street building, drawing a diverse audience of stakeholders from across the city’s mobility ecosystem.

The program opened with a networking reception, where industry leaders and public-sector partners exchanged insights on recent advancements and upcoming challenges. The formal session began with remarks from Vincent Boudreau, President of The City College of New York (CCNY), who introduced Commissioner Rodriguez as “one of the institution’s most committed public servants.” Boudreau recalled early encounters with Rodriguez during his years as a faculty member, noting the young student’s leadership, activism, and long-standing dedication to public service.

Release of a Landmark Report: Reimagining Transportation

During the event, Commissioner Rodriguez officially released the printed report “Reimagining Transportation,” a comprehensive document that outlines the major initiatives, achievements, and structural transformations accomplished under his leadership. The report provides a panoramic overview of the agency’s progress in infrastructure modernization, equity-driven policy, safety enhancements, and citywide mobility planning.

Historic Expansion of M/WBE Participation

Rodriguez highlighted a milestone achievement in economic equity: the increase in participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) from 11% to more than 30% during his tenure. This expansion represents over $500 million in contract opportunities awarded to firms that had long been overlooked in large-scale public procurement. The Commissioner emphasized that much of this growth directly benefits immigrant-owned businesses that employ workers in neighborhoods across New York City.

Street Safety: Lowest Traffic Fatalities Since 2018

The Commissioner announced that New York City is on track to end the year with the lowest number of traffic fatalities since 2018, marking a significant victory for the Vision Zero initiative.
Key measures contributing to this trend include:

• The redesign of more than 6,000 intersections to improve safety for all road users.
• The expansion of automated speed and red-light camera programs.
• High-impact public awareness campaigns emphasizing responsibility behind the wheel.

Record-Breaking Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure

Rodriguez’s tenure also set new benchmarks in sustainable mobility and public space creation:

• Construction of 87 miles of protected bike lanes, the highest total achieved by any administration.
• Development of more than 1.5 million square feet of new pedestrian space.
• Modernization of parking meters and deployment of battery-swapping cabinets for delivery workers, reducing fire risks associated with indoor battery charging.

Initiatives such as Summer Streets and Car-Free Earth Day were expanded beyond Manhattan, becoming truly citywide programs that provided new recreational and cultural experiences to historically underserved communities.

Modernization and Roadway Maintenance

The Commissioner underscored major accomplishments in roadway maintenance:

• Resurfacing over 1,150 lane miles annually, significantly reducing pothole formation.
• Achieving a more than 50% reduction in 311 complaints related to pavement damage.
• Restoring the Avenue of the Americas nation medallions, reinforcing the cultural identity of one of Manhattan’s signature corridors.

With measurable progress across safety, infrastructure, equity, and innovation, Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez leaves behind one of the most transformative tenures in modern NYC DOT history. The release of “Reimagining Transportation” solidifies this legacy and provides a blueprint for the city’s future mobility challenges.