Work is set to begin this spring on a major overhaul of the Bear Mountain Bridge, a project that will upgrade the 101-year-old span while preserving one of the Hudson Valley’s most recognizable crossings.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the $93.8 million effort, approved by the New York State Bridge Authority, will be completed in three phases with a target date of December 2028.
The bridge’s roadway was last replaced in the 1970s. The new lightweight concrete deck is designed to carry today’s heavier truck traffic and is expected to last more than 50 years.
Hochul called the bridge “a connecting link for the Hudson Valley and a gateway to the Hudson Highlands,” saying the work will keep it safe and strong for future generations.
The project goes well beyond a new driving surface.
Sidewalks will be widened to five feet on both sides to better meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and to accommodate the steady flow of pedestrians — from local walkers to thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
Plans also include modern concrete barriers between traffic and pedestrians, upgraded drainage systems, four scenic overlooks where visitors can safely stop and take in views of the Hudson River and surrounding Highlands, and steel mesh climb-deterrent fencing along the walkways.
State Senator Peter Harckham called the fencing a “life-saving feature,” noting that installing it as part of the larger construction project will reduce costs.
When the Bear Mountain Bridge opened on November 27, 1924, it transformed travel in the Hudson Valley. It was the first vehicular crossing of the Hudson River south of Albany and held the record for the longest suspension span in the world.
The crossing linked growing parklands, including Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park, with communities in Putnam and Westchester, making it a vital route for both recreation and daily travel.
New York State acquired the bridge in 1940, and in 2018 it was ceremonially renamed the Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bear Mountain Bridge to honor combat-wounded service members.
For motorists, hikers, cyclists and sightseers, the span remains one of the most heavily used Hudson River crossings north of New York City. Officials say the upcoming work will ensure the historic bridge continues to serve as both a transportation link and a destination in its own right.