![]() "The increased frequency of bridge strikes is likely caused by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the growing use of non-commercial GPS systems and changes in traffic flow and driver behavior since the pandemic," said Joseph Morrissey, spokesman for the New York Department of Transportation. "Increased awareness of the issue has also led to more comprehensive reporting." TRUCK FALLS OFF BRIDGE 2021 DRIVER The crashes have caused injuries, chemical spills and traffic jams. Most of the low bridges are owned by the state. ![]() The state Department of Transportation has spent $42 million in recent years to repair bridges after strikes and prevent hits. The Thruway Authority has spent a part of its $319 million bridge capital budget addressing crashes. If repairs are needed for a bridge, then a town, county or state transportation agency may front the costs. In some cases, an insurance company may cover a portion of the repairs, according to Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at the Insurance Information Institute. Though she couldn't provide an example of when that has occurred. When renovations hit the multi-million dollar mark, it's more than likely that taxpayers will end up shouldering much of the load. Other costs associated with the crashes can be the expense to send emergency services to the sites, especially in places where the strikes are a constant reoccurrence. The state set aside nearly $30 million - $25 million from a 2019 initiative started by former Gov. Cuomo and smaller amounts from the Department of Transportation - to undertake eight projects that officials say will reduce the state’s bridge strike count. The department has so far completed one of those projects. Nevertheless, the Department said New York's bridges are safe because they are regularly inspected. "The New York State Department of Transportation has one of the most comprehensive and rigorous bridge inspection programs in the nation. Bridges are inspected after every reported collision," Morrissey said. "The state also requires all highway bridges to be inspected at least every two years, if not sooner, and is one of the few states in the nation that requires bridge inspection teams to be headed by licensed professional engineers who have undergone specialized training. Bridges that are deemed unsafe are closed." TRUCK FALLS OFF BRIDGE 2021 PROFESSIONAL The Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority collect information on collisions with bridges from a variety of sources and their data may reflect an undercount of incidents in some cases, according to state officials. But their data are the best window available into where bridge collisions are happening most often in the state. The Times Union analyzed 10 years of data on bridge collisions from the Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority. The crashes with low bridges happen most often on the Hutchinson Parkway, followed by the Southern and Northern State Parkways on Long Island, according to the data. Bridges in New York City, Hempstead, New Rochelle, Rye and Oysterbay endure the most collisions. "The impact of bridge strikes can be significant depending on the road and the time of day," said Beau Duffy, spokesman for the New York State Police. TRUCK FALLS OFF BRIDGE 2021 PROFESSIONAL.Oliver said two bystanders witnessed the crash and immediately rushed to his aid. There's no controlling a vehicle of any kind," he said. "There was just too much snow on the side of the road that once the tires got into like 2 foot of snow. Oliver said once his truck hit the snow, he completely lost control. The driver of that truck, Richard Lee Oliver, and his fiance, Candice Haid, spoke out about the accident for the very first time from his hospital bed Thursday. It happened on I-94 at the Zoo Interchange. The vehicle plummeted 70 feet to the road below, somehow avoiding any other cars. ![]() Traffic cameras captured a truck flipping over a highway overpass just days ago in Milwaukee. MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee driver who plunged from an icy highway overpass, miraculously surviving the 70-foot-fall, is speaking out in an ABC exclusive interview. A Milwaukee driver whose truck plunged 70 feet off an icy overpass is speaking out after the accident. ![]()
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