NTSB urges look at collapse risk for bridges, including in NYC

Nearly a dozen bridges across New York State, including some of the most highly trafficked spans in New York City’s five boroughs, are at an unknown risk of “catastrophic collapse from a vessel collision” and government officials should implement a plan to improve their safety, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report this week.

The findings were issued as part of the NTSB’s investigation into the March 26, 2024, collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after a passing cargo ship struck it. The accident killed six construction workers.

The NTSB identified 68 bridges nationwide, owned by 30 municipalities or agencies, that have an “unknown level of risk of collapse” because of their respective age, design and the lack of a vulnerability assessment based on recent vessel traffic. All of the bridges span over navigable waterways that are frequented by oceangoing vessels, according to the report.

“What we are telling bridge owners is that they need to know the risk and determine what actions they need to take to ensure safety,” NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said in a news conference Thursday, adding that an increased risk level doesn’t indicate a collapse is imminent.

Among the downstate New York bridges identified in the report are the Verrazano Narrows, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, George Washington and Outerbridge Crossing.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the George Washington and Outerbridge Crossing bridges, said in a statement that container ships similar to the one involved in the Maryland crash don’t pass under their bridges and the vessels that do traverse the area are shorter and carry one-third the tonnage.

In addition, Steve Burns, a Port Authority spokesman, said Friday their bridges have added levels of protection while container ships are guided in by tugboats and on-ship local pilots.

“We hold our crossings to the highest safety standards with industry-leading protection systems in place,” Burns said.

The New York City Department of Transportation, which owns the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, said it’s “reviewing” the NTSB’s request, said spokesman Vincent Barone on Friday.

The East River, where the three bridges are, the department said, cannot accommodate large vessels and doesn’t have a major freight terminal. Meanwhile, city DOT bridges have large concrete pedestals for added safety, according to the transportation agency.

The MTA, which owns the Verrazano, didn’t immediately respond Friday to a request for comment.