The State of the City's Bridges

Author

Leo G. Miranda, Craig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-15-2024

Grading Professor

Andrew Lehren

Subject Concentration

Urban Reporting

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

An analysis by NYCity News Service of 2024 federal bridge inspection found that 118 segments of city bridges are in poor condition, around 8% of all bridges citywide. Among these are segments of major highways and bridges like the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, FDR Drive, Harlem River Drive, Grand Central Parkway and even a part of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. On a single stretch of highway, where the Grand Central Parkway and the Whitestone Expressway meet in Queens, there are seven parts of highway or ramps in poor condition.

Bridge segments can be any raised roadway that passes over another parkway, roadway or pedestrian path. According to the analysis, the city has seen its share of poor condition bridges decrease over the years, from around 12% in 2004. An injection of funds from the federal 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has buoyed repair projects in New York State, with more than $38 billion for existing and new spending statewide, according to the state comptroller. There are contracts to rehabilitate bridges around the city, like nearly $74 million for repairs of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. However, it remains unclear how many and which of the 118 poor condition bridges are currently being funded for repairs. Repeated requests for comment and questions about funding put to the city and state Department of Transportation as well as to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were denied or ignored.

Capstone link: Unlisted medium website – https://medium.com/@leo.miranda84/the-state-of-the-citys-bridges-52f1f47f6e54

Recommended Citation

Miranda, Leo G., "The State of the City's Bridges" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/770