Provides Funding for 216 Projects in 137 New York Communities

The Program Supports Efforts to Strengthen Critical Infrastructure and Make Local Communities More Resilient to the Impacts of Climate Change

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the awarding of more than $484 million in enhanced assistance to 137 local governments across the state to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts, improve safety, and enhance the resiliency and sustainability of New York’s vital transportation infrastructure. This funding, provided through the state’s BRIDGE NY initiative with significant support from the Federal Bridge Formula Program, will support 216 individual projects and help local governments in every region of the state strengthen their existing infrastructure to better withstand severe weather events and the impacts of climate change. The state’s BRIDGE NY initiative supports projects that will reduce flood risk and improve the resiliency of structures, while facilitating regional economic competitiveness and prioritizing projects that benefit environmental justice communities.

“As New York continues to experience the effects of climate change firsthand, we must make critical infrastructure improvements so our communities can withstand the extreme weather ahead,” said Governor Hochul . “Working closely with local governments, we are investing millions to reinforce more than 200 bridges and culverts across the state, improving public safety and preparing these structures for anything Mother Nature may throw at us.”

Today’s announcement builds on the more than $1.23 billion previously awarded to local governments under the BRIDGE NY initiative. As part of the State’s historic $33 billion capital plan adopted in 2022, $1 billion was committed to BRIDGE NY, effectively doubling the size of the program. The awards announced today were selected based on input from Metropolitan and Regional Planning Organizations and the funding will support all phases of project delivery, including design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.

Highlights of the BRIDGE NY awards include:

-Capital Region ($43.1 million): $4.75 billion to Albany County for replacement of the South Albany Road bridge superstructure over Onesquethaw Creek.

-Central New York Region ($37.5 million): $2.569 billion to Cayuga County for the replacement of the North Division Street bridge over the Owasco Outlet

-Finger Lakes Region ($46.4 million): $5 million to Monroe County for the replacement of the Turk Hill Road bridge over Thomas Creek

-Mid-Hudson Region ($63.5 million): $5 million each to the Town of Mount Kisco for the replacement of the Preston Way Bridge over the Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line; to the Orange County Department of Public Works for the replacement of the Sterling Lake Road Bridge over the Ringwood River; and to the Ulster County Department of Public Works for the replacement of the Denning Road Bridge over the East Branch Neversink River.

-Mohawk Valley Region ($40.2 million): $4.35 million to the City of Maryland for the replacement of the Tannery Street Bridge over Schenevus Creek

-North Country Region ($43.4 million): $5.796 billion to St. Lawrence County for replacement of the Route 49 bridge over the East Branch of the St. Regis River

-Southern Tier Region ($58 million): $5.223 billion to Steuben County for the replacement of the Newcomb Road bridge over Canisteo Creek

-Western New York Region ($77.4 million): $4.697 billion to the City of Buffalo for the replacement of the Warren Spahn Way Bridge over Cazenovia Creek

-Long Island Region: $910,000 to the Town of Brookhaven for the replacement of the Barton Avenue culvert carrying the Swan River Creek

-New York City Region ($73.8 million): $18.5 million to the New York City Department of Transportation for the replacement of the Belt Parkway bridges over Ocean Avenue and Bedford Avenue

View the full list of BRIDGE NY awards.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul understands that meeting the challenges of climate change requires a team effort, and under her leadership, New York State remains committed to working with our local partners to enhance public safety by improving the resilience and sustainability of our infrastructure. The BRIDGE NY funding we announced today will provide critically important financial support for local governments to strengthen their bridges and culverts against the looming threat of severe weather and help keep New Yorkers safe and moving.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “As extreme weather events become more common, it is vital that we invest in strengthening infrastructure to keep New Yorkers safe. This $484 million in BRIDGE NY funding will bring crucial improvements to the safety, resilience, and sustainability of bridges and culverts across New York State. I applaud this investment and am proud to support Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to strengthen and protect infrastructure across New York State against the impacts of climate change.”

Representative Grace Meng said, “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which I voted to pass in Congress, is making historic investments in road, bridge, and water infrastructure improvements that will help create a safe and sustainable future for generations to come. The funding announced today is another critical building block in the decade of infrastructure we are experiencing in New York and across the country. As our state’s representative on the Regional Leadership Council, which works to advance and implement the legislation signed by President Biden, I am proud to see these federal funds reaching municipalities, investing in resilience, and helping our communities combat the ongoing effects of climate change.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Without the Belt Parkway, tens of thousands of New Yorkers would lose their ability to visit family, participate in the economy, and access all our city has to offer. I thank Governor Hochul and the state legislature for providing $73.8 million to rebuild our crumbling bridges along the Belt Parkway and protect them from the future impacts of climate change.”

State Senator Jeremy A. Cooney said, “For years we have heard about an unprecedented need for investment in our roads and bridges. With today’s announcement, Governor Hochul is delivering historic dollars to local governments to meet that need. More than 200 bridge and culvert projects across the state will help keep our roads safe for years to come.”

Assemblyman William Magnarelli said, "Investing in our bridges and culverts reinforces New York State's commitment to protecting and improving our state infrastructure, strengthening economic development and our quality of life."

New York State County Highway Superintendents Association President Jeffrey Smith said, “Since its inception, BRIDGE NY has been a tremendous boost to county highway departments’ efforts to maintain, rehabilitate and improve the resiliency of our vast bridge and culvert systems. Local governments are responsible for the vast majority of roads and half of the state’s bridges, so these state investments in bridges and culverts are critical to our shared mission. Timely BRIDGE NY awards allow counties to address these critical infrastructure needs and avoid project delays, containing costs at significant savings to taxpayers. NYSCHSA commends Governor Kathy Hochul and Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez for their partnership and their strong support of state funding for local highway and bridge programs for the benefit and safety of the traveling public.”

NYSAOTSOH President Greg Hallberg said, “The New York State Association of Municipal Highway Superintendents, Inc. (NYSAOTSOH), the state’s largest transportation association, applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Transportation for accelerating this year’s phase of BRIDGE-NEW YORK. It will provide support to local governments of all sizes across the state to help maintain critical transportation infrastructure. Local roads and bridges account for eighty-seven percent of New York State’s highways and more than half of its bridges. This funding is critical to our economic viability and the safety of the traveling public.”