'Bridge NY' Initiative Will Rehab Bridges In Westchester

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A state initiative to fund infrastructure rehabilitation where it can do the most good will bring funding to Westchester County.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week more than $484 million for 137 local governments across the state to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts,"enhancing safety and improving 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 will help local governments throughout the state. Key for Westchester, the initiative is specifically intended t0 harden the existing infrastructure to better endure severe weather events and withstand the impacts of climate change, according to officials.

The Bridge NY initiative targets projects that will reduce the risk of flooding and improve the resiliency of structures where the funds can help restore the balance of environmental justice, state officials said.

"As New York continues to experience the effects of climate change firsthand, we need to make critical infrastructure upgrades so our communities can withstand the extreme weather to come," Hochul said. "Working closely with local governments, we are investing millions to harden more than 200 bridges and culverts across the State, enhancing public safety and make these structures ready for whatever mother nature can throw at us."

The latest funding builds upon the over $1.23 billion that has previously been awarded to local governments through the Bridge NY initiative. As part of the state's $33 billion capital plan adopted in 2022, $1 billion was committed to Bridge NY, effectively doubling the size of the program.

"As extreme weather events become more common, it is vital that we invest in strengthening infrastructure to keep New Yorkers safe," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. "This $484 million in BRIDGE NY funding will bring crucial enhancements to the safety, resiliency, 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."

NYS says the awards just announced were selected based on input from Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the funding will support all phases of project delivery, including design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.

BRIDGE NY awards in Westchester County include:

• $5 million to the Village/Town of Mount Kisco for the replacement of Preston Way bridge over the Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line.
• $3.653 million to the Westchester County Department of Public Works for the Murray Avenue bridge over Community Park, Mamaroneck
• $1.964 million to the Westchester County Department of Public Works for the Gallows Hill Road bridge over Peekskill Hollow Creek, Cortlandt
• $1.837 million to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for the deck replacement of the Devries Avenue bridge over the Pocantico River.
• $1.084 million to the Village of Rye Brook for the relining of the Acker Drive/Concord Place culvert carrying Blind Brook.
• $975,000 to the Village of Irvington for the replacement of the Route 9 culvert carrying Riverview Road Brook.

View the complete list of 216 BRIDGE NY awards here.

"Governor Hochul understands that confronting 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 resiliency and sustainability of our infrastructure," New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "The BRIDGE NY funding we are announcing today will provide critically important financial support for local governments to harden their bridges and culverts against the looming threat of severe weather and help keep New Yorkers safe and on the move."