The first Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation was Edward Burton Hughes, who had formerly been Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Department of Public Works, a role he had worked in continuously since 1952. The first head of the New York State Department of Transportation (effective from 1 September 1967) was the former head of the New York State Department of Public Works John Burch McMorran (1899–1991). In 1967, the Department of Transportation was formed to deal with the state's complex transportation system, and absorbed among others the Department of Public Works.In 1927, the Department of Public Works took over the duties of the State Engineer and Surveyor, unifying responsibility for highways, canals and public buildings,.In 1911, the Highway Commission was abolished, and was succeeded by a State Superintendent of Highways.

It was headed by a three-member Highway Commission, appointed in 1909. In 1908, the New York State Department of Highways was established by the Highway Act.In 1907, the Public Service Commission assumed responsibility for the economic and safety regulation of privately operated transportation railroad and bus safety inspection and, approval for the installation of protection for or elimination of at-grade rail highway crossings.In 1878, the Superintendent of Public Works took over the duties of the canal commissioners.In 1848, the Office of State Engineer and Surveyor succeeded the Surveyor General's Office.In 1810, the Erie Canal Commission was established to build the Erie Canal, and afterwards the canal commissioners oversaw maintenance and enlargement of the canals.

In 1781, the Office of Surveyor General was reorganized from its colonial Dutch and English beginnings to survey lands that had been vested in the state during and following the Revolutionary war.

The history of the New York State Department of Transportation and its predecessors spans over two centuries: Its regulations are compiled in title 17 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. Stewart is currently leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It owns two airports, Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, and Republic Airport on Long Island.

456 public and private aviation facilities, through which more than 31 million people travel each year.

Twelve major public and private ports, handling more than 110 million short tons (100 million metric tons) of freight annually.

Over 130 public transit operators, serving over 5.2 million passengers each day.

A 5,000 mile (8,000 km) rail network, carrying over 42 million short tons (38 million metric tons) of equipment, raw materials, manufactured goods and produce each year.

A state and local highway system, encompassing over 110,000 miles (177,000 km) of highway and 17,000 bridges.The New York State Department of Transportation ( NYSDOT) is the department of the New York state government responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, Title 17.

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