NY A03780

Requires public authorities and the Department of Transportation to hire independent, state-licensed engineers to provide technical assistance on highway and bridge projects over $10 million in cities with populations of one million or more.

Mandates establishment of project task forces including community representatives, local community board appointees, state legislators, city council representatives, and borough presidents to participate in project decisions and engineer contract awards.

Allocates funding for independent engineer services at not less than one percent of the engineering budget for covered projects.

Prohibits task force members from using the independent engineer's work product as evidence in lawsuits challenging the authority's or agency's right to proceed with projects.

Requires independent engineers to submit periodic reports documenting work performed, meetings attended, hours worked, and other information to ensure compliance with the law's purposes.