NYS Bridge Authority Begins Hearings On Bear Mountain Bridge Redecking
By JOHN JORDAN
FORT MONTGOMERY, NY—The New York State Bridge Authority has recently launched the public engagement process on a plan to redeck the storied Bear Mountain Bridge here.
The first in-person public meeting on the planned redecking of the 101-year-old span, which was announced on Feb. 28, is scheduled on Thurs., March 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Desmond-Fish Public Library in Garrison, NY.
A spokesman for the New York State Bridge Authority told CONSTRUCTION NEWS that the initial amount budgeted for the project as part of its capital program is $62.1 million. However, more specific budget projections are expected to be released in the coming months once designs are finalized. Final budget costs will include funds earmarked for design, construction and inspection as well as the cost for other planned bridge enhancements. These include sidewalk widening, tower overlooks and climb-deterrent fencing.
The overall length of the Bear Mountain Bridge deck totals 2,255 feet. As a comparison, the recent deck replacement project for the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge north span (which is 5,000 feet longer) cost $95 million.
The overall public engagement process will include future in-person and virtual meetings, along with progress updates on the project website and a dedicated project email address.
The Bear Mountain Bridge, which opened in 1924, last had a deck replacement in 1976. Bridge Authority officials stated that concrete decks typically last between 30-50 years, depending on wear and tear experienced on a bridge.
In addition to the deck replacement, a few ancillary projects are being considered as part of the larger project, such as the widening of the bridge’s sidewalks to make them compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and improved drainage systems. Other enhancements being evaluated include anti-climb fencing and barriers that meet modern standards for height and safety. Additionally, options for new overlooks will be evaluated at the towers to provide pedestrians a safe and accessible space to enjoy the scenic views.
The bridge will remain open during construction, but will require a reduction in lane widths and traffic management systems put in place to minimize disruption.
The New York State Bridge Authority, which is managing the project, expects preliminary designs to be completed this summer and final design by the end of this year. The authority is aiming for construction to begin in the spring of 2026 with completion projected for the winter of 2027. The New York State Bridge Authority operates the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle Bridges. It also owns and maintains the structure of the Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian bridge.
Bridge Authority Adopts New Strategic Plan
The New York State Bridge Authority released on March 3 its new Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 entitled: “A Bridge to the Future.” The Strategic Plan, adopted by its Board of Commissioners in January, includes NYSBA’s mission, vision and core values as well as strategic goals and objectives to guide its operational efforts for the next five years.
NYSBA Executive Director Dr. Minosca Alcantara said, “This Strategic Plan comes as NYSBA begins its 93rd year of building upon our legacy of maintaining the Hudson Valley’s most crucial pieces of infrastructure and also as we continue to showcase the spirit of service that everyone in our ‘NYSBA family’ embodies every single day. This plan will serve as a strong blueprint for success over the next five years.”
NYSBA Board of Commissioners Chair Joan McDonald added, “The Board of Commissioners is pleased with the exceptional work done by the staff on this Strategic Plan. We look forward to seeing these initiatives implemented in the years ahead so that the authority can continue growing and thriving.”
Development of the plan was the result of a collaborative process over the past year, incorporating input from all departments and with outreach to every NYSBA employee. Among the highlights of the report are a revised Mission Statement and new Vision Statement. There are also Goals and Objectives for the authority to achieve over the next five years, touching upon the following areas: Safety; Overall Excellence; Infrastructure Integrity; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Service; Fiscal Responsibility and Innovation.
Dr. Alcantara stated in the Strategic Plan: “Beyond all-electronic tolling, we are embracing a more sustainable future by increasing the energy efficiency of all our buildings, meeting New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul’s green energy decarbonization annual goals and transitioning our fleet to zero emission. In addition, our newly added security team is collaborating with our local and state police in helping us better manage bridge incidents and coordinate with first responders.”
Since its formation as a New York State public benefit corporation in 1932, the Bridge Authority has had a singular focus on maintaining the Hudson River bridge crossings between the Bear Mountain and Rip Van Winkle bridges. With its transition to a cashless all-electronic tolling (AET) system between 2021-22, the authority has transitioned into a new sustainable era utilizing innovative technologies with smart traffic management systems, streamlined logistics, real-time tracking, and automation. NYSBA states that it remains committed to safety, customer-driven operations, and overall excellence for the communities it serves.
Formation of the Strategic Plan was done in collaboration with the New York State Thruway Authority Department of Strategic Management. The Strategic Plan is available at the authority’s website: https://nysba.ny.gov/
Published: March 13, 2025.