New York's local governments need an estimated $27.4 billion to repair a number of "structurally deficient" bridges.
What does that mean? The NYS Comptroller's Office says "structurally deficient" bridges are safe to drive on, but have "elements in poor condition or are prone to repeated flooding."
Local governments own 8,834 out of 17,462 bridges in the state.
According to the NYS Comptroller's data, Erie County has 52 bridges that need repair -- 31 in local counties, 8 in towns, and 13 in cities-- coming in as the second highest after New York City.
Here is a list of "structurally deficient" bridges in Erie County from the NYS Comptroller's Office.
While the cost is quite steep, the state's report found the number of unsound bridges has declined in recent years.
The total cost of needed repairs to all 17,462 highway bridges in the state was estimated at $75.4 billion in 2016 according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory.
While local governments are usually responsible for the cost of maintaining their bridges, the federal government does provide funding through Federal Highway Administration programs.
