You know that feeling when you're hitting the I-90 / I-87 exchange near Crossgates and the steering wheel starts doing that frantic little dance? Yeah, that's Albany driving for you.
Honestly, if you live here, you've probably made "dodging the Central Ave crater" a personality trait by now. But as we roll through January 2026, the situation on the ground is actually shifting in ways that might surprise you. It’s not just about the usual winter slush.
The Reality of Road Conditions Albany NY Right Now
Right now, the big story isn't just the snow. It's the $34.3 billion Capital Plan that's finally starting to show its face in our daily commutes. Governor Hochul recently announced that 2026 is basically the "year of the paver," with plans to resurface over 4,000 lane miles across the state.
For us in Albany, that means a lot of orange cones.
Specifically, if you're heading toward the Dunn Memorial Bridge, you've likely seen the multi-year repair project that kicked off last fall. It’s a $12 million mess, frankly, but it’s tackling decades of water infiltration and "deterioration" (which is just a fancy word for the bridge falling apart).
Westbound traffic on Route 9 and 20 is slated for a major shift this spring. If you're coming in from Rensselaer, give yourself an extra ten minutes. Seriously.
Why the Potholes Feel Worse This Year
It’s not your imagination. The Hudson Valley and Capital Region have been screaming about this lately. State Senator Pete Harckham actually held a presser just a few days ago, pointing out that our region has the lowest percentage of "Good + Excellent" roads in the state—clocking in at just 46.5%.
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Think about that. More than half of our state roads are officially "meh" or worse.
The science behind it is simple and annoying:
- The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: Albany has had some weird temperature swings this month. When water gets into cracks, freezes, and expands, it pops the asphalt like a grape.
- Inflation: Material costs for asphalt and concrete have jumped nearly 30% since the pandemic. Your tax dollars literally don't go as far as they used to.
- Traffic Volume: Between the commuters from Saratoga and the constant truck traffic on the Thruway, the sheer weight on the roads is relentless.
Navigating the Thruway (I-87 and I-90)
The New York State Thruway Authority is currently managing several "road maintenance operations." Just this week, we've seen right-lane closures on the Berkshire Connector (both eastbound and westbound) between Exit 21A and B1. They’re projecting these to wrap up around January 23rd, but you know how that goes with upstate weather.
If you’re heading north toward Exit 21, keep an eye out for crash reports. There was a nasty one near milepost 112.3 recently that backed things up for miles.
Local Streets: A Neighborhood Breakdown
The City of Albany is currently pushing through its 2025-2026 Complete Streets Contracts. This isn't just about filling holes; it's about tearing things up to replace lead water services and then resurfacing.
- Clinton Avenue & Livingston Avenue: Major pedestrian experience upgrades are happening here.
- Lark Street: The infrastructure project is still a talking point. If you’re looking for parking for a late-night bite at Bombers, good luck.
- Brevator Street: Major improvements are underway near the Harriman State Office Campus.
Pro-tip for Downtown: The city is currently hitting Broadway hard for pothole repairs. Crews have been working overnight (10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.) to try and smooth things out without killing the morning commute.
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What No One Tells You About the 511NY System
Most people check Google Maps and call it a day. Don't do that.
The 511NY system is decent, but the NYS Thruway's text-based alerts are where the real-time dirt is. They categorize pavement conditions into four tiers:
- Clear and Dry: The dream.
- Wet Conditions: Liquid water or melted snow.
- Snow and Ice: Wheel paths might be visible, but you're sliding.
- Severe Snow and Ice: Pavement is gone. You're driving on a glacier.
As of mid-January, most of the Albany stretches (Exits 24-26) are holding at "Clear and Dry," but that changes the second a lake-effect band drifts over from Oneonta.
How to Not Total Your Car on Western Ave
If you're driving in Albany, you need a strategy. This isn't the Autobahn.
Watch the "Shine"
If the road looks wet but it's 20 degrees out, it’s black ice. This is notorious on the ramps connecting I-787 to the South Mall Arterial. The bridges freeze way before the surface roads do.
The Three-Second Rule (Upgraded)
In the summer, two seconds of following distance is fine. In an Albany winter? Make it five. Between the salt spray blinding you and the person in front of you slamming their brakes for a pothole, you need the buffer.
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Report the Craters
Don't just swear at the road. The City of Albany actually has a "SeeClickFix" portal or you can call the Department of General Services. If you don't report it, they can claim they didn't have "constructive notice" if you try to file a claim for a popped tire.
What’s Coming in the Next Few Months
Spring 2026 is going to be loud.
The state is gearing up for the "most ambitious paving agenda ever." We’re talking over $1.2 billion in pavement renewals. For Albany residents, this means the Northway (I-87) is going to be a construction zone for significant stretches.
Also, keep an eye on the Manning Boulevard project. It's been a point of contention for local residents, but the resurfacing and drainage improvements are scheduled to pick up steam as soon as the ground thaws.
Essential Gear for Your Trunk
Given the current road conditions Albany NY is facing, don't leave your house without:
- A real shovel: Those little plastic ones snap the second you hit a frozen snowbank.
- A bag of sand or kitty litter: The non-clumping kind. It gives you traction when you’re stuck in a slush-filled gutter.
- Windshield washer fluid: The -20°F rated stuff. The salt film on I-90 is thick enough to act like a privacy screen if you run out of spray.
Actionable Steps for Your Commute
If you want to survive the winter and spring driving seasons here, do these three things:
- Bookmark the Thruway's "Winter Travel Advisory" page. It’s updated more frequently than local news sites and gives specific pavement status for segments like Selkirk to Schenectady.
- Check the Downtown Albany Traffic Advisories weekly. Parking restrictions for "AWD" (Albany Water Department) work can lead to a tow faster than you can say "Empire State Plaza."
- Check your tire pressure. The 40-degree swings we’ve been having cause your PSI to drop, making those pothole impacts much more likely to bend a rim.
Albany roads are a work in progress—literally. Between the historic funding and the brutal climate, we're in a cycle of "break and fix." Drive defensively, stay off the tail of the person in front of you, and keep an eye on those Berkshire Connector closures through the end of the month.