Ryan announces 2026 paving list, new data-driven approach to future street repairs

Partnership with CYVL introduces ‘cutting-edge technology’ to improve how Buffalo prioritizes roadwork 

Submitted by the Office of City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan

Mayor Sean Ryan on Monday announced the City of Buffalo’s 2026 paving list and unveiled a new, data-driven approach to how streets will be evaluated and prioritized in future years. The announcement is part of Ryan’s broader focus on “fixing the basics” by investing in core city services and improving the systems that support them. 

Ryan highlighted how the city is shifting toward a needs-based paving model that uses real-time roadway data to guide future investments.

“This investment is part of a larger emphasis we are putting on prioritizing areas of need and doing the work the right way the first time,” Ryan said. “For too long, residents have been left with streets in poor condition that went unaddressed. By using technology and focusing on need, we can make smarter investments, stretch taxpayer dollars further, and deliver better results for residents.”

As part of the announcement, the city introduced a partnership with CYVL, a company that uses advanced lidar technology to assess roadway conditions. A demonstration vehicle equipped with the technology was showcased as part of the announcement, highlighting how Buffalo will begin collecting detailed, objective data on street conditions to inform future paving decisions for municipalities.

The data collected through this partnership will help the city more effectively carry out a needs-based system, with plans to utilize the data collected by CYVL for the 2027 paving list and beyond. This data will also allow the city to update its ADA transition plan for the first time in 12 years, improving overall accessibility and ensuring public infrastructure better serves all residents.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Nolan Skipper provided an overview of how streets were selected for the 2026 paving list and outlined new tools that will help residents stay informed.

“We’re working to make this process more transparent than ever before,” Skipper said. “Residents will be able to view the paving list on our website, understand how streets are ranked, see a timeline for repair, and receive advance notice before work begins through paving cards and BUFFALERT notifications.”

Daniel Pelaez, CEO and co-founder of CYVL, said, “Not every mayor would commit to this level of transparency and accountability. Mayor Ryan did. This partnership will put objective data behind every paving and sidewalk decision, giving residents across the city confidence that their infrastructure is being managed fairly. Buffalo is joining a growing network of forward-thinking cities that have invested in CYVL's infrastructure intelligence, including Boston, Atlanta, Green Bay, Nashville, and hundreds of towns and cities across the U.S. Buffalo is leading with innovation that other cities should take notice of."

The city also previewed enhancements to its online paving list, including GIS-based mapping tools that will allow residents to track planned work and better understand infrastructure conditions in their neighborhoods.

Residents can view the City of Buffalo’s paving list at www.buffalony.gov/paving.