New York Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge Restoration

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has awarded the New York State Thruway Authority $21 million to repair and restore the aging Castleton-on-Hudson bridge. The bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure that connects Albany and Rensselaer counties, carrying 17,000 vehicles each day.

Historical context

• The economically significant bridge is 63 years old, and constant repairs force closures and disruptions. “The Castleton-On-Hudson Bridge is 63 years old and considered in poor condition, with the Biden Administration calling it one of the most economically significant bridges in the country. … The Castleton-On-Hudson Bridge has deteriorated over the last two decades, with constant construction and recent closures disrupting traffic for commuters and truckers alike.” – CBS 6 Albany, last updated April 15, 2023
• The 1-mile bridge carries 6.2 million vehicles per year, allowing important connections to the thruway over the Hudson River. “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.” – Office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), April 13, 2023
• Detours are costly and becoming more frequent. “‘This is a real inconvenience for us,’ Steve Irwin, owner of Clinton’s Ditch Co-Op, says. ‘In the past year its gotten much worse in actual closures of the bridge. For a day or two at a time they make an emergency repair. It’s a real costly detour for us when we have to go around it.’” – CBS 6 Albany, last updated April 15, 2023

Project summary

• The bipartisan infrastructure law funding will allow the bridge to be rehabilitated and strengthened, extending its life by 50 years. “This project will rehabilitate and strengthen deteriorated sections of the eastbound superstructure of the bridge by replacing the eastbound structural deck, repairing steel girders, and performing other needed repairs. Building on a separate, $47.6 million construction effort already underway to replace the westbound bridge deck, these projects together will extend the anticipated service life of the bridge by 50 years.” – Office of U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), April 10, 2023

Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact

• The new funding builds on existing work to repair the westbound lanes. “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.” – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, April 13, 2023

Climate impact

• “As demonstrated in the BCA, the project will contribute to efforts to combat climate change by reducing vehicle emissions amounting to 10,500 metric tons.” – New York Thruway Authority Bridge Investment Program Grant Application, last accessed July 2024

Economic impact

• “The Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, also known as the Berkshire Spur Castleton Bridge, is a vital commerce and travel corridor for our Capital Region. Each year, 6.5 million trips are taken on this section of the New York State Thruway, which links the towns of Coeymans in Albany County and Schodack in Rensselaer County on each side of the Hudson River. The bridge also serves as a critical connector between New York and Massachusetts.” – Office of Rep. Paul Tonko, April 10, 2023

Official supporting statements

• U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “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.” – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, April 13, 2023
• U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY): “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.” – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, April 13, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko: “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.” – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, April 13, 2023
• New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare: “The Thruway Authority is reinvesting toll dollars into transformative projects that are rebuilding and modernizing a transportation system that is nearly 70 years old. Projects like the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge rehabilitation improve travel for millions of people each year and enhance connectivity and regional economies. We look forward to beginning the second phase of construction next year by replacing the eastbound bridge deck lanes using the $21 million grant awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration and we are continuing to pursue the opportunity to apply for and receive additional federal funding.” – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, August 25, 2023

Selected clips

• “U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg comes to Capital Region” – Times Union, April 13, 2023
• “U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announces bridge investment in Castleton” – WAMC, April 13, 2023