Fencing Considered for Hudson Valley Bridges After Safety Concerns Rise

By Y.M. Lowy

As Rockland Daily previously reported, the New York State Senate passed a bill earlier this year that would require climb-preventive fencing on five Hudson Valley bridges. Now, officials say the first installation could begin soon, starting with the Bear Mountain Bridge.

The bill, known as Senate Bill S2708A, passed unanimously in June. It calls for fencing on all bridges under the New York State Bridge Authority, which includes the Bear Mountain, Rip Van Winkle, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson, and Newburgh-Beacon bridges.

More than 100 serious incidents have taken place on these bridges since 2007, prompting lawmakers to push for stronger safety measures. The Bridge Authority has already installed crisis phones and now fencing may be next.

State Senator Pete Harckham, who introduced the bill, said the Bear Mountain Bridge will likely be the first to get fencing. Harckham said lawmakers have been working on the plan for several years and that the Bridge Authority has agreed to move forward after some earlier hesitation.

The Bear Mountain Bridge had four deaths in 2023, five in 2024, and at least one so far in 2025, according to Harckham’s office. He said the goal of fencing is to prevent future tragedies.

The bill still needs to pass the State Assembly before it becomes law, but local officials say early steps are already underway. More updates are expected later this year as the project moves forward.