All Over Albany

Bridges over the Mohawk in Schenectady County closed open

Update at 4:22 pm: CBS6 and WTEN are both reporting the bridges are open again.

(Previous NYS DOT info about bridge closings now after the jump.)

As Chuck Schumer pointed out this week, bridges around the state weren't in such great shape before Irene -- and all the flooding isn't helping.

Inspection scores for bridges around the state are posted online (be sure to read the explanation of the ratings).

From the NYS Department of Transportation at 3:22 pm Thursday:

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is closing four bridges over the Mohawk River in Schenectady County immediately.

The bridges include:

· Interstate 890 bridge at Thruway Interchange 26 in Rotterdam Junction.

· Western Gateway Bridge carrying Route 5 between Scotia and Schenectady.

· Freeman's Bridge carrying Route 5 (Freeman's Road) between Scotia and Schenectady. [We think this contains a typo -- Freemans Bridge is State Hwy 50S.]

· Rexford Bridge carrying Route 146 between Schenectady and Clifton Park.

The bridges are being closed to ensure public safety following severe flood damage to the abutments of the bridge carrying Route 103 between Routes 5 and 5S in Rotterdam Junction. Water from the Mohawk River eroded soil supporting the Route 103 bridge abutment, ultimately forming a new water channel between the bridge and Route 5. This new channel could pose a significant safety threat to travelers in this area.

The Route 103 bridge has been closed due to flooding since last week.

For the most up-to-date traffic conditions call 511 or visit www.511NY.org.

(Thanks, Mark)