TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Earlier this week New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State police would be conducting a bridge hit enforcement campaign across the state from Sunday to Saturday.
According to the governor's office, from 2021 through 2022 there were a combined 808 reported bridge strikes across the state.
Locally, one of the bridges that is struck regularly is the Young Street Bridge in the City of Tonawanda.
7 News has done several stories on the bridge being struck in the past and it was struck again on Tuesday as 7 News reporter Kristen Mirand was out at the bridge.
Rj Strassheim, who lives right near the bridge, told Mirand this happens quite often.
"Sometimes it happens weekly - you know what I mean? But lately every couple months," he said.
Tonawanda Police Captain Kevin Ulmer said this occurs five to ten times on average a year. He said it comes down to drivers unaware of the height of the truck they're driving.
"Over the course of my career which is going on 20 years now there's been ongoing issues with this bridge," Capt. Ulmer said.
- February 2019 — Local business tired of seeing trucks stuck underneath Young Street Bridge
- March 2019 — Neighbors voice concerns over future of Young Street Bridge
- October 2020 — Another tractor-trailer crashes into Young Street Bridge in City of Tonawanda
- December 2020 — Another truck has crashed into the Young Street Bridge in the City of Tonawanda
- January 2021 — Three separate trucks strike City of Tonawanda overpasses in four-day period
In July 2022, in response to the bridge regularly being struck local elected leaders came together to announce a project to improve safety in the area. At the time, officials said the design work was underway and construction was anticipated at the end of 2024.
READ MORE: Project announced to improve safety at Young Street Bridge in City of Tonawanda
The governor's office said as part of the weeklong enforcement campaign NYSP will patrol areas of known bridge hits and parkways to prevent them. NYSP, NYSDOT, NYS Thruway Authority, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will also raise awareness through videos, graphics and photos, and social media messages.
“Bridge strikes are potentially hazardous to motorists and first responders and have caused needless inconveniences for local communities – but these incidents are 100 percent preventable. While we have implemented measures and technologies across the state to help prevent bridge strikes, nothing is more powerful than knowledge. Drivers of overheight vehicles have a responsibility here as well: follow posted warnings, know the height of vehicles and most importantly pay attention.”
