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Officials Meet to Discuss State of Ashford Avenue Bridge

County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky is spearheading the initiative to rebuild the potentially dangerous structure before 2015.

  • Editor's note: Special thanks to Hastings' Jim Metzger for his graphic photos. 

Earlier this year, a woman walking across the Ashford Avenue Bridge noticed a large piece of concrete that had fallen from the structure onto the grass below. She reported it to officials, said County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky. That was the first indication that something needed to change.

Though nobody was hurt, as many as six vehicles were damaged...and many locals were shaken up. 

On Saturday morning, Shimsky rounded up a number of elected officials and their assistants to discuss the state of the bridge and to possibly expedite the process of reconstructing it.

"Walking across today, we saw visible cracks," Shimsky said. Though she does not believe motorists—either on or below the bridge are in imminent danger—she said that if "we wait too long it may be a different story."

The bridge, which connects Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley and runs above both the Saw Mill River Parkway and the New York State Thruway, has been recognized by engineers and officials as one of the worst bridges in Westchester.

The reconstruction is slated to begin in March, 2015. Funding will come from the county ($9.7 million), the federal government ($5-6 million) and from New York ($1.5 million).

Shimsky admitted that making the process happen more quickly will be dificult given all the approvals they'll need to go forward. There will also be obstacles to procurring the funding.

"Friday's incident was truly a wake-up call," she said. "Everyone involved seems gradually to be coming together to get behind the project—but I don't think gradual is good enough."

Though she does not believe there will be a catastrophic event anytime soon, Shimsky said "walking across the bridge and seeing the cracks is sobering."

She mentioned possibly installing nets to catch falling debris.

"We're hoping we can sit down soon and develop a timeline," Shimsky said. "This just can't wait."

If you want to help officials expedite the start date, send letters to shimsky@westchesterlegislators.com. 

Read a statement from County Executive Robert Astorino below:

“Friday night’s temporary closing of the Ashford Avenue bridge vividly illustrates the need to expedite the comprehensive repair of this critical roadway. While the repair process has already begun, it is clear the timetable needs to be accelerated.

“I have directed county officials with the Department of Public Works and other agencies to immediately coordinate with state, town and village officials, as well as the Board of Legislators, on fast-tracking the repairs.

“Fortunately, no one was injured and engineers have verified the bridge is structurally sound. But it is a warning that that can’t be ignored the repair process needs to be accelerated. I want to thank all the county, town, village and state teams who responded last night. Because of their expertise and professionalism, we were able to reopen the bridge in a matter of hours while ensuring the public’s safety at all times.”


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jobobg2 May 19, 2013 at 11:23 am
I'd like to Thank everyone that came out to support the scholarship fund. We were able to raise overRead More $500. for the day.I also want to thank the students that came out to help. Bob Galinski,club advisor,Hastings schools
Renee Petro May 12, 2013 at 01:46 pm
The letter does not seem to mention if they have personal experience as an educator or as a parentRead More with kids now, kids past years or kids future years in the Irvington School District. Sometimes the perspective is different if you have lived the experience with kids in the Irvington School District. I have three kids -- one graduate last year and is at Cornell University, one is grade nine and one is grade three. All three got great teachers, small class size and extra help or enrichment as needed. I think the arts programs can be expanded -- music, drama, fine arts (both in classes and electives plus stipends to pay teachers for clubs and after school activities). However, this is a school district that values having small class size and keeping strong all the academics core subjects required for graduation and college plus making a priority sports opportunities middle school through high schools at all levels and types of sports. If you are high achiever it works grades k-12; if you are a child with special education needs or learning issues needs or extra help needs it works too. The average student is the one who is often forgotten in Irvington School District since they just do their thing in school, after school activities and move from grade to grade uneventful but nothing that will be memorable at least in my experience.
Teleman April 2, 2013 at 02:35 pm
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Andromachos April 2, 2013 at 10:50 am
When employers are offering less and less health insurance, more people are self insured orRead More uninsured and are restricted to buying policies as individuals. With the cost at over $ 1,500 per month for standard, full coverage for a family of 4, it is no wonder there are so many uninsured or partially insured ( emergency/hospital care only).