Deteriorating Parkway Bridge Over the Kisco River to Be Replaced

A new bridge will carry the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Kisco River between New Castle and Mount Kisco thanks to a federal grant aimed at lessening hazardous roads and bridges in the USA.

“It’s great that there is money being put into the infrastructure,” said Mount Kisco Interim Village Manager Gennaro J. Faiella.

The existing composite steel girder bridge has a hydraulic vulnerability, is in a deteriorated condition, and has a history of scour problems, all of which are causing concern for bridge foundation failure, a significant factor for repeatedly closing the road during extreme weather events, according to the office of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who announced the Hazard Mitigation Grant.

The $8.68 million was awarded to the New York State Department of Transportation from FEMA’s Sandy Recovery Office.

“It is important that FEMA addresses our failing infrastructure due to recent storms, including Sandy,” said Jill Simon Shapiro, New Castle Town Administrator. “We are still feeling the aftermath. Because of the ravages of the storm water, the bridge foundations are failing. It looks fine, but the structural integrity has been compromised. It is important this is addressed now before it has a chance to fail.”

The new bridge will be more resistant to extreme weather.

Here’s the full text of her release:

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, announced an $8,680,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for hazard mitigation on a bridge carrying the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Kisco River in the Town of New Castle, connecting to Mount Kisco.

“Upgrades to critical pieces of infrastructure are paramount to ensure that our roads, bridges, and main thruways are safe and resilient during severe weather events,” said Lowey. “I’m pleased New Castle will receive these federal funds that I fought for in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. I will continue to work with communities in the Lower Hudson Valley to ensure that their infrastructure needs are met.”

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant was awarded to the New York State Department of Transportation from FEMA’s Sandy Recovery Office within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The project will remove and replace the existing composite steel girder bridge carrying the Sawmill River Parkway (NY Route 987 D). The bridge also has a hydraulic vulnerability, is in a deteriorated condition, and has a history of scour problems, all of which are causing concern for bridge foundation failure, a significant factor for repeatedly closing the road during extreme weather events.

The bridge will be replaced with a new structure on the existing horizontal alignment and an elevated profile more resilient to extreme weather events. The upgraded access, with improved hydraulic openings and enhanced foundation design, will:

• • Ensure more dependable access for first responders and recovery efforts;

• • Strengthen local communities; and

• • Keep New York’s economy moving.

“It is important that FEMA addresses our failing infrastructure due to recent storms, including Sandy,” said Jill Simon Shapiro, New Castle Town Administrator. “We are still feeling the aftermath. Because of the ravages of the storm water, the bridge foundations are failing. It looks fine, but the structural integrity has been compromised. It is important this is addressed now before it has a chance to fail.”

Mount Kisco Interim Village Manager Gennaro J. Faiella said, “It’s great that there is money being put into the infrastructure.”

As the top Democratic appropriator in the House, Congresswoman Lowey was an instrumental leader in the bipartisan effort to pass the full $60 billion Sandy assistance package just days after assuming her committee leadership position last year.