New York State Bridge Authority

The New York State Bridge Authority was established within the Department of Public Works by Chapter 548, Laws of 1932. This act was amended the following year (Laws of 1933, Chapter 67), removing the Authority from the Department.

The Authority consisted of three gubernatorial appointees (five since 1949) authorized to sell bonds for the construction of bridges; to maintain, reconstruct, and operate bridges; to charge tolls on bridges; and to construct and maintain telephone wires, electrical wires, and other appliances over bridges.

The bridge authority controls and operates the Mid-Hudson Bridge spanning the Hudson river at Poughkeepsie, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge spanning the Hudson river at Catskill and the Bear Mountain Bridge spanning the Hudson river below West Point, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge above Kingston and the twin spans at Newburgh-Beacon.

The Mid-Hudson Bridge was opened to traffic in 1930, and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge was opened in 1935. The Authority purchased the Bear Mountain Bridge on September 26, 1940. The Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge was opened in 1957 and the North Span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge opened to traffic in 1963, the South Span opened to traffic in 1980.

The New York State Bridge Authority was established within the Department of Public Works by Chapter 548, Laws of 1932. This act was amended the following year (Laws of 1933, Chapter 67), removing the Authority from the Department.

The Authority consisted of three gubernatorial appointees (five since 1949) authorized to sell bonds for the construction of bridges; to maintain, reconstruct, and operate bridges; to charge tolls on bridges; and to construct and maintain telephone wires, electrical wires, and other appliances over bridges.

The bridge authority controls and operates the Mid-Hudson Bridge spanning the Hudson river at Poughkeepsie, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge spanning the Hudson river at Catskill and the Bear Mountain Bridge spanning the Hudson river below West Point, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge above Kingston and the twin spans at Newburgh-Beacon.

The Mid-Hudson Bridge was opened to traffic in 1930, and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge was opened in 1935. The Authority purchased the Bear Mountain Bridge on September 26, 1940. The Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge was opened in 1957 and the North Span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge opened to traffic in 1963, the South Span opened to traffic in 1980.