New York completes $3.8 million highway bridge replacement project

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the completion of the state’s $3.8 million bridge replacement project of the Old State Road Bridge over the New York State Thruway (I-90) in Albany County, which began in March 2020.

At the same time, Cuomo directed the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to launch collaborative enforcement and education effort from Nov. 9 through Nov. 15 to prevent future bridge strikes.

"While maintaining strong, safe transportation infrastructure is critical for keeping our roadways safe, it's also an important piece in growing local economies and this is why New York has made the strengthening of bridges and roadways a top priority," Cuomo said. "Not only does the new Old State Road Bridge improve the safety and reliability of the Thruway, but by increasing its clearance, we are helping prevent troublesome traffic delays which impact travel and commerce. When you combine this progress along with our new enforcement and education initiative, New York is taking a proactive approach towards improving safety for all those who travel our roads." 

The overpass bridge, which is located between Exit 24 (Albany - I-87) and Exit 25 (Schenectady - I-890), had been subject to numerous over-height truck hits throughout the past several years causing traffic disruptions on the Thruway mainline. The new bridge height will prevent similar incidents in the future with increased clearance of 16 feet, 6 inches for traffic traveling on the NYS Thruway (I-90). 

As part of the enforcement effort, State Troopers will focus active patrols in areas in each Troop where there have been documented bridge strikes by large commercial vehicles. These bridge strikes are most likely to occur on roadways with low railroad bridges and on New York State Parkways. Commercial trucks are banned on parkways, but operators guided by consumer-grade GPS devices can end up on parkways, and when that occurs, a bridge strike is inevitable. Consumer GPS devices to do not include information about low bridges, truck drivers are required to instead use commercial-grade GPS systems which provide details about low bridges and restricted routes.

In addition to increased enforcement, a tip card and other materials were developed to educate drivers – especially drivers of box trucks and other commercial vehicles – about the hazards of low bridges and how to avoid them. The educational materials will be made available to the public at highway rest areas, Department of Motor Vehicles Offices and truck rental facilities. 

"Bridge strikes not only tie up traffic and damage vehicles, but they can also compromise the safety of our infrastructure,” DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark Schroeder, said. “We support the efforts of our partners in law enforcement and at DOT and are committed to educating drivers about how to safely navigate New York's bridges and tunnels."

New fines and penalties for those driving commercial vehicles on New York State parkways went into effect Sept. 3, 2020.  Penalties for commercial vehicles on parkways are broken down by weight class, and there are also penalties for over-height vehicles.

The maximum fines and penalties are as follows:

Less than 10,000 pounds:

• First violation - $250 and/or 15 days in jail
• Second violation within 18 months - $500 and/or 45 days in jail
• Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $750 and/or 90 days in jail

Between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds:

• First violation - $350 and/or 15 days in jail
• Second violation within 18 months - $700 and/or 45 days in jail
• Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $1,000 and/or 90 days

Over 26,000 pounds:

• First violation - $700 and/or 15 days in jail
• Second violation within 18 months - $1,500 and/or 45 days in jail
• Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $2,000 and/or 90 days in jail

New fines and penalties for over height vehicles are as follows:

• First offense - $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail
• Second or subsequent offense - $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail