BUFFALO, N.Y. — A large number of bridges across the state, and right here in Western New York are rated in poor, structurally deficient, or fair condition. That's according to a new report from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.
The 290 bridge that crosses over the intersection of Eggert, Colvin, and Twin City Highway near the white water tower at the Amherst and Town of Tonawanda border was deemed the worst bridge in Western New York.
"One of the biggest deterrents we have is trying to fund a bridge and sometimes the bridge costs can be a $1.5 million to $2 million," said William Geary, commissioner of the Erie County DPW.
Geary added, "As a county as a whole, we have a, for instance, this year, a $40 million infrastructure program. Going through, trying to fund these 23 bridges in the next five to 10 years is gonna bring back... a pretty.. an aggressive plan, to say the least."
The report also noted that over a half-million people in Western New York cross bridges that are structurally deficient every day.
"This is an area where we believe that the federal government in the past always stepped up, was always a bipartisan effort to deliver infrastructure dollars to the states," said New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "That has not been occurring. So New York State has had to step up and help fill that void. And we understand that responsibility to do that, and also work with the county for county roads and the city has responsibility to maintain city roads. So we, we get it. there's nothing we want more in the state of New York than to make sure that our driving public are safe on the roads and bridges."
To view the full report, click here.
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