Port Jervis, NY – New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,TCN-Deerpark) joined local leaders in Port Jervis at the groundbreaking of the new Tri-State Bridge project.

The Tri-State Bridge is located on Route 6 in Port Jervis and serves as the main artery into the city. Replacement of the current bridge, which is more than 75 years old, has been discussed by local leaders for years.

Total cost is $19 million. Federal funds will pay for 80 percent of the project, while 15 percent will come from the state and 5 percent from the city. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Legislator Tom Faggione, and the Orange County Transportation Council aided Port Jervis in finding funds needed to fulfil the cities commitment to the overall project.

“I am proud to have worked with the County Executive and the Orange County Transportation Council to help make this project a reality. The replacement of the Tri-State Bridge is critical to economic development in Port Jervis and all of Western Orange County,” said County Legislator Tom Faggione (R,C,I-Deerpark).

“This was truly a collaborative effort between several layers of government and I am glad to see the project finally coming to fruition,” Brabenec said. “From our residents making the morning commute to our farmers bringing produce to market to our school buses driving children to school, safe and reliable roads, bridges and highways are vital to our community’s safety and success. Whether it’s fighting for more CHIPs funding at the state level or advancing project on the local level I have always strived to improve our area’s infrastructure.”

The Tri-State Bridge project is part of a larger plan, which includes a third turning lane from the bridge to the city line and two traffic light reconfigurations. The entire project is expected to take two years to complete.