NYS Bridge Authority Showcases Resilient Infrastructure to Dominican Republic Delegation

By Rockland Daily Staff

In a significant exchange program focused on infrastructure resilience, the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) welcomed a delegation from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) between June 3 and 7.

The NYSBA operates many bridges in the Hudson Valley, including the Bear Mountain Bridge.

The delegation, comprising civil engineers and officials, embarked on an extensive tour of critical infrastructure sites across the Hudson Valley and New York City, facilitated by multiple transportation agencies including NYSBA, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The visit provided valuable insights and strategies to the Dominican Republic, which is grappling with the aftermath of devastating infrastructure damage in November 2023.

During their tour, the delegation observed NYSBA's comprehensive preventive maintenance program, tailored to maintain the structural integrity of key crossings such as the Mid-Hudson and Newburgh-Beacon Bridges. Despite the advanced age of these structures, NYSBA demonstrated its dedication to safety and operational excellence.

Moreover, the delegation explored NYSBA's sophisticated Command Center, which serves as a central hub for round-the-clock security monitoring of the region's vehicular crossings. This firsthand experience underscored NYSBA's seamless coordination with security personnel and local first responders, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow and public safety.

NYSBA Executive Director Dr. Minosca Alcantara said, “Having been born and raised in the Dominican Republic, it was truly an honor to co-host this international exchange. As we toured these various bridges, tunnels, operations centers, and public works project sites, it became clear that all of us in the transportation industry have a lot to learn from each other, regardless of where we live and serve our communities. I hope that the delegation felt warmly welcomed and are able to bring back some best practices to help build upon their country’s transportation network. We all enjoyed deepening the bonds between the State of New York and the Dominican Republic.”