Federal Bridge Investment Program Grant Provides Funding for Second Phase on the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge in 2024

Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge is a Main Connector Between Rensselaer and Albany Counties and Serves More Than 6.2 Million Vehicles Per Year

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Thruway Authority has been selected for a $21 million federal grant, as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program, to support the restoration of the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge on the New York State Thruway (I-90) Berkshire Spur. The Governor made today's announcement alongside Secretary Buttigieg, Congressman Paul Tonko, and local representatives.   

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has given us the opportunity to address critical infrastructure needs across New York State," Governor Hochul said. "I thank President Biden for his commitment to investing in New York and Secretary Buttigieg for supporting this project to restore the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, modernize our transportation system, and strengthen this vital economic corridor."  

United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said, "When bridges have to close for repairs — or worse, begin to fail — it can cut off access to an entire community, adding hours to commutes, costing money for local businesses, and delaying first responders from getting to an emergency. The grant awards we're announcing today are helping communities of all sizes modernize their bridges so that school buses, delivery trucks, ambulances, and commuters can get where they need to go quickly and safely."    

Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, "I want to thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation for recognizing the Thruway Authority's Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge project as a recipient for the Bridge Investment Program Grant, and the critical importance of investing in our infrastructure. Winning this federal grant will support a major capital construction project that will serve our motorists for decades to come."          

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "The Castleton-On-Hudson Bridge is a vital connector in the Capital District, but for years its deteriorating infrastructure has put Upstate travelers at risk and hindered economic development. That is why I am so proud to deliver $21 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to restore and rehabilitate this critical connector, create good jobs and ensure the safety of our pedestrians and motorists. This important federal funding will extend the service life of the bridge by over 50 years, boosting the Capital Region economy and giving travelers a safer, more secure commute."    

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "For too many years, the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge went without desperately needed repairs. I'm proud to have fought to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law that provides this $21 million grant to modernize the bridge and make it safer for everyone who relies on it, and I will continue fighting for federal dollars to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure across our state."    

Representative Paul Tonko said, "The Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure that links our communities together, and this effort to secure its future is a huge win for our region, residents, and commuters. This funding, made possible by the unprecedented investments in our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help ensure that the bridge remains safe and reliable for years to come, supporting the movement of goods and people in the Capital Region and beyond. I'm proud to join Secretary Buttigieg and Governor Hochul in announcing this critical funding and look forward to continuing our work to secure investments that connect our communities and maintain our region's status as a thriving hub of economic activity."    

State Senator Timothy M. Kennedy said, "Castleton Bridge serves as a vital corridor for commerce, connecting points between New York State and the Northeast, and local communities in between. More than 6.2 million vehicles cross it every year, and over decades, that volume of traffic has taken a toll. I reached out to Secretary Buttigieg over the summer to advocate for the Thruway's application for this grant, and today's announcement is yet another demonstration of our federal partners delivering for New York's infrastructure. This investment will directly target overdue repairs, and ensure continued accessibility within this critical corridor."    

I thank President Biden for his commitment to investing in New York and Secretary Buttigieg for supporting this project to restore the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, modernize our transportation system, and strengthen this vital economic corridor.
Governor Hochul

The Thruway Authority applied for the grant in 2022 and was named a recipient by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing bridges to reduce the number in poor condition or at risk of declining into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds.           

The New York State Thruway is a 570-mile superhighway with 815 bridges, 118 interchanges, 27 service areas and three Welcome Centers and connects New York's principal cities, rural areas and tourist destinations. The Berkshire Spur is a vital economic corridor connecting I-87 in Albany County to the Massachusetts state line.     

The Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, more commonly referred to as the Castleton Bridge, opened to traffic in 1958 and spans approximately one mile in length, connecting the Berkshire Spur section to the Thruway's mainline. Approximately 6.2 million vehicles per year or 17,000 per day travel over the bridge that connects Albany and Rensselaer counties over the Hudson River. The Castleton Bridge is 65 years old and requires a significant capital investment to continue to maintain it for decades to come.    

A $47.6 million project on the Castleton Bridge began in 2021 which includes the deck replacement of the westbound travel lanes, repairs to the deck on the eastbound travel lanes, replacement of the center median and bridge steel repairs. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. This project is the first major rehabilitation to the driving surface of the Castleton Bridge since 2009. The massive steel trusses were repainted in 2016 and routine maintenance was regularly performed by Thruway Maintenance crews to prolong the lifespan of the driving surface.     

The Bridge Investment Program grant will supplement the cost of a second project to replace the eastbound bridge deck and address steel repairs and maintenance safety features. With the completion of these two projects, the anticipated service life of the superstructure will be extended by 50 years.     

The project to replace the eastbound bridge deck is anticipated to cost approximately $44 million and the $21 million grant will be directly applied to offset that cost. It's anticipated to begin in spring 2024.