New York State Department of Transportation Map Information Unit Tri-State Transportation Committee Aerial Photographs

Numerical by map number.

B2023-10A: Arranged by project then alphabetically by name of quadrant or numerically by map number.

A temporary "tri-state traffic safety commission" was established by the Legislature in 1960 (Chapter 925, Laws of 1960). Similar legislation was passed that year in Connecticut and New Jersey. Its existence was extended from 1961 to 1963 by Chapter 495, Laws of 1961 and Chapter 411, Laws of 1962. A prospectus issued by the temporary commission in April 1962 outlined its initial mission and preliminary plans. A technical advisory committee included representation from the New York State Department of Transportation, and this prospectus also mentioned the need for updated mapping to aid studies and research projects. The temporary commission became known as the Tri-State Transportation Committee.

In 1963 the Legislature (Chapter 617) formed the Tri-State Transportation Commission, with the duration of the three-state compact coming in 1968. Of the commission's sixteen members, three from each state had to be "state officers or employees engaged in highway or other transportation activities." (Section 3.2) Each existing state agency "engaged in highway or other transportation activities" was "authorized to assist [the commission] in the performance of its functions." (Section 4.4) Governor Nelson Rockefeller mentioned the need for the commission in his annual message, and in his message upon passage noted correctly that this was the "first such compact agency established with prior Congressional consent granted under a 1961 Federal Law." "The benefits of a united approach," he added, "will become increasingly significant to commuters and commercial shippers" alike. The governor's charge suggested the Commission's studies might have value in regional urban planning beyond mere transportation projects.

The Commission conducted landmark planning studies in such subject areas as rapid transit and the interstate highway system. It was closely tied to transportation agencies in the three states as well as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Six years later (by Chapter 333, Laws of 1971) it was renamed the Tri-State Regional Planning Commission "to reflect its broader functional scope."

This series consists of 1:4800 scale aerial photographic transparencies created by the Tri-State Transportation Committee (CT, NJ, NY). Areas covered by the committee were the southern portion of New York, western Connecticut, and northern New Jersey. New York counties covered were Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, and Richmond.

Maps are numbered 1 through 966 with gaps. Each map is also labeled with two numbers corresponding to x and y axis coordinates on an unidentified and unavailable key map or maps. Each photo measures 38" x 36" and is gridded into half mile squares. Label information includes names of counties depicted, 1:2000 index map sheet number, and position of the sheet on a reduced outline map of the overall project. The maps were originally designated "Planfile 4. 400' Aerial Cronaflex, 1961-1962." Names of most streets and roads are printed on the maps as well as the names of some physical features.

B2023-10: This accretion consists of transparent aerial photograph maps numbered 107 through 2221 with gaps. Each map is also labeled with two numbers corresponding to x and y axis coordinates on an accompanying key map. Each photo measures ca. 30" x 30". A few names of streets or roads are printed on the maps as well as a few names of municipalities.

B2024Series B2024, Index to Tri-State Transportation Committee, Tri-State Transportation Commission, and Tri-State Regional Planning Commission aerial photographs, indexes this series.

B2023-10A, B2023-12: Paper index maps are available at the repository.

Item lists provide map number as well as corresponding x and y axis coordinates on a key map or maps.

B2023-10A: Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was transferred to the State Archives under Records Disposition Number (RDA) 20986.

This series was transferred from the New York Office of Cyber Security & Critical Infrastructure Coordination (CSCIC). Material collected and created by the Department of Transportation Map Information Unit for its base mapping project was transferred to the Office of Technology in 2001 and subsequently transferred to CSCIC at the time of its formation.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.