Long Island has lowest percentage of bridges in poor condition, state comptroller says

Only 3% of county- and locally-owned bridges on Long Island are in poor condition, the lowest rate of any region in New York State, according to a report released Thursday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

But Nassau and Suffolk counties also had the lowest percentage of bridges rated in good condition — just 24.2% — with nearly 73% rated in fair condition, according to 2023 data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration.

"Ensuring safe and reliable public infrastructure is an ongoing concern for local governments across the country," DiNapoli said in a statement. "Despite increased funding from the federal and state governments, there is a great deal more work that needs to be done in New York."

The report found 9% of the 17,573 highway bridges in the state are rated in poor condition — 2.2% higher than the national average, but down slightly from 2017 figures in New York. Meanwhile, 10% of the 8,891 bridges owned by local governments are in poor condition, down from 12.1% in 2017, the report said.

The comptroller estimated the cost to repair local bridges is approximately $29 billion, with most — $19.1 billion — for structures in New York City.

The estimated improvement costs for Long Island bridges is $751.2 million, including $581.6 million for county bridges; $65.9 million for town bridges; $13.9 million for city bridges; and $89.8 million for bridges owned by other entities. 

Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said most of the bridges needing significant repairs are owned by localities, "and they don't have the funding available from their tax base. So they're constantly looking for state and federal funding."

On Long Island, eight bridges — five owned by a town or county and three by the state — are considered in poor shape.

They include three in Nassau: the oldest, on Bridge Road in Manhasset, built in 1898; the Seawane Drive Bridge over Auerbach Channel in Hewlett Harbor, built in 1932; and the Bartow Road Bridge over the Long Island Rail Road in Great Neck Plaza, built in 1935.

The five Suffolk bridges in poor condition include: Park Road Bridge over Connetquot Brook, built in 1900; the River Avenue bridge in Southampton, east of Eastport, built in 1907; the North Road bridge on Route 27 in Southampton and the William Floyd Parkway Bridge over Narrow Bay in Mastic Beach, each built in 1959; and the Lincoln Avenue Bridge at Route 27 in Bohemia, built in 1996.

Of the 157 county- and locally-owned bridges on Long Island, 38 were rated good and 114 fair, the report said.

The average year Long Island bridges were built was 1962, with only bridges in New York City having an older average year built: 1946.

"New York has one the most aggressive road and bridge renewal programs in the United States and is investing more in the modernization of its transportation infrastructure than at any other point in the state’s history," said Stephen Canzoneri, spokesman for the state Transportation Department. "New York is currently in the middle of a five-year capital plan adopted in 2022, which at $33 billion is the largest such plan of its kind in state history."

Nationwide 6.8% percent of bridges were rated poor, DiNapoli said. Overall, just 11 states had a higher percentage of bridges in poor condition than New York.