Today, the New York State Assembly passed legislation that has the potential to mitigate the amount of bridge strikes in New York. Assembly Bill A.8582-B requires navigation systems that utilize GPS technology to provide the legal clearance of bridges or elevated structures along proposed routes. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) co-sponsored this legislation alongside Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) in a bipartisan effort to prevent dangerous, low bridge strikes in Glenville and across the state. 

“We all have an interest in keeping those on the road safe and the burden on taxpayers minimal. The Glenridge Road and Maple Avenue bridges in the town of Glenville have been struck more than 125 times in recent years, and despite multiple efforts, the hits keep coming. Tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds within the town have been used to protect and repair the bridge, with another $1.4 million invested by the state in recent years.

Recognizing there will never be 100% success, my hope is this legislation will greatly reduce the inordinate number of bridge strikes here and across New York state.”