New York governor announces funding for bridge upgrades

New York governor Andrew Cuomo has announced enhanced funding of $262.2m to municipal governments to accelerate the repair and upgrade of bridges and culverts across the US state.

The funding is part of the state’s BRIDGE NY initiative and will support 165 projects in 95 communities.

It is the latest project supported by the $300m enhanced assistance provided to municipal governments to speed up bridge and culvert projects since 2015.

Of the 165 benefiting projects, 86 are bridges and 79 are culverts.

The projects were selected through a competitive process that considered the structural condition of a bridge or culvert and its resiliency and significance.

Cuomo said: “Investing in transportation infrastructure is critical to our economic prosperity and the safety of New Yorkers and visitors alike.

“By providing BRIDGE NY funding to local governments in every region of the state, we are ensuring bridges and culverts remain safe and reliable and continue supporting economic growth for decades to come.”

New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the BRIDGE NY programme, which forms part of a $23.3bn multi-year capital plan to mondernise critical roads, bridges and other vital transportation infrastructure throughout the state.

The US Department of Transportation’s five-year capital plan also includes $550m for the BRIDGE NY programme, in addition to the $1bn provided annually to municipal governments for the renewal and modernisation of roads and bridges.