New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued a report on the structural health and safety of New York’s bridges. Ten percent rate in poor condition. Five bridges in poor condition are right here in Suffolk County.
The five bridges in Suffolk County that rated in poor condition are:
* Southampton Town Rte 27 intersected by North Road. The bridge is owned by the State and was built in 1959.
* Southampton Town River Ave near Eastport. The bridge is owned by the town and opened in 1907.
* Brookhaven Town Floyd Park Extension near Narrow Bay SW of Mastic Beach. The bridge is owned by the County and was built in 1959.
* Islip Town Lincoln Ave intersected by Rte. 27. The bridge is owned by the State and opened in 1996.
* Islip Town Park Rd. intersected by Connetquot Brook near the State Park. The bridge is owned by the State and opened in 1900.
The last report was issued seven years ago and the good news is that the number of NY’s bridges in poor condition has decreased by 2.1%, but NY still is 2.2% higher than the national figure of 6.8%.
The State Department of Transportation is responsible for inspecting bridges. They assign a score of 0 to 9 with 9 being the best condition. If any component of the score receives a 4 or lower, the bridge condition is rated as “poor”.
Ensuring safe and reliable public infrastructure is an ongoing concern for local governments across the country,” DiNapoli said. “Despite increased funding from the federal and state governments, there is a great deal more work that needs to be done in New York. Local governments need this funding to continue so sorely needed repairs and maintenance are completed.”
The Federal Highway Administration reports that $29 billion was spent on NY bridge repair in 2023. New York has 17,573 highway bridges. Counties own 50.6% of the bridges – 8,891 in total.
The region with the highest percentage of local bridges in poor condition was the Mid-Hudson region at 13.9%. The Capital District was next with 13.7% of its local bridges in poor condition.
The Comptroller report reveals that the regions with the highest percentage of local bridges in poor condition in 2023 were the Mid-Hudson (13.9%) and Capital District (13.7%) regions. Long Island (3.2%) and New York City (7.1%) had the lowest percentage of bridges rated in poor condition. The North Country (50.1%), Finger Lakes (48.7%), and Western New York (45.4%) regions have the highest share of local bridges in good condition.
Nearly every county and New York City had at least one local bridge rated in poor condition in 2023. Ulster County had the most, with 63 in poor condition, followed by New York City (60), Columbia County (34), Orange County (31) and Rensselaer County (31). Wyoming County (12) and Suffolk County (5). Yates County had only one local bridge in poor condition. Schenectady County had the fewest number of local bridges overall and was the only county that did not have any in poor condition in 2023.