Bridges owned by New York’s local governments need an estimated $27.4 billion in repairs, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
While the cost for repairs is staggering, DiNapoli’s report found the number of "structurally deficient" locally-owned bridges has declined in recent years. But concerns about how local governments will find funding for repairs is growing as Washington considers changes to infrastructure aid.
"Local communities are facing a big price tag for maintaining and repairing bridges,” DiNapoli said. "These structures are aging and the cost for repairs will likely only increase over time. Many local governments understand the importance of long-term planning for their infrastructure needs but they will need help. While the state has taken steps to make funds for repairs available, the assistance of the federal government has also been critical. Difficult decisions lie ahead, but these infrastructure needs must be addressed."
Local governments, mostly counties, own 8,834 out of 17,462 bridges in the state. These bridges carry average daily traffic of nearly 33.4 million vehicles. DiNapoli’s report found local bridges are more likely to be structurally deficient than state-owned bridges (12.8 percent to 9 percent). “Structurally deficient” bridges that remain open are considered safe to drive on, but either have load-bearing elements in poor condition or are prone to repeated flooding.
The overall percentage of structurally deficient local bridges declined from 16.7 percent to 12.8 percent from 2002 to 2016, while the state’s percentage was relatively flat at around 9 percent.
Town-owned bridges are more likely to be structurally deficient (18.4 percent) than other local bridges. The highest number of structurally deficient local bridges are located in New York City (86), followed by the counties of Erie (52), Ulster (46) and Steuben (40). The counties with the highest percentage of structurally deficient local bridges are Seneca (34.6 percent), Cayuga (27.6 percent) and Hamilton (23.8 percent).
