N.Y. Highway Law Section 131-C
Location and construction of bridges

The board may authorize the location, change of location and construction of any bridge, applied for by any town or towns, jointly, or by other than a municipal corporation, created under a general law, or by any corporation or individual for private purposes; and if a public bridge, erected other than by a municipal corporation, establish the rates of toll for crossing such bridge; but if such bridge is to cross a navigable stream, provision shall be made in the resolution or permission authorizing the same, for the erection and maintenance of a suitable draw, to prevent any obstruction of the navigation of such stream; and if a private bridge, provision shall be made that the draw shall be kept open as may be required to permit all vessels to pass without loss of headway. When such bridge shall be intersected by the line of counties, the action of the board of supervisors of each county shall be necessary to give the jurisdiction herein permitted. If such bridge is to cross a stream which is navigable in fact, it, including its abutments, and piers, if any, shall be located and constructed in accordance with maps, plans and specifications to be approved by the department of transportation; and not otherwise, and copies of such maps, plans and specifications showing the location, character, design and dimensions of such bridge, and the fact of such approval shall be filed in the office of the department of transportation.

Source: Section 131-C — Location and construction of bridges, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/HAY/131-C (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

110
Definitions 111
Payment and apportionment of cost among counties and towns 113
Annual statement of cost 114
Sources and use of county road fund moneys 115
Preparation of map showing proposed county road system 115–A
Abandonment of unused portions of town highways on county road system 115–B
Removal of road or part of road from county road system 115–C
Notice to municipalities where county roads are abandoned or revert to such municipalities 116
Statement and approval of proposed work 117
Construction and reconstruction of county roads 117–A
Highways in villages in Niagara county 117–B
Controlled-access highways in counties 117–C
Hawking, peddling, vending, sale of goods, wares or merchandise 117–D
Pedestrian overpass to be designated as the “Jennifer Bolender Memorial Overpass” 117–E
Pedestrian overpass to be designated as the “Police Officer Robert McLellan Memorial Overpass” 118
Acquisition by counties of lands for right-of-way and other purposes 118–A
Abandoning of parts of county highways 118–B
Entry upon lands by county superintendent 119
Purchase of lands 120
Petition to acquire lands 121
Commissioners of appraisal to be appointed 122
Duties of commissioners of appraisal 123
County treasurer to pay awards 125
Land may be sold or leased 126
Awarding of contracts 127
Payments from the county road fund 129
Maintenance and apportionment of cost 130
Bridges on county road system 131
County roads of additional width and increased cost at expense of village 131–A
Application 131–B
County highways and bridges 131–C
Location and construction of bridges 131–D
Construction by county of destroyed bridges 131–E
Bridges over county lines 131–F
Streets outside cities 131–G
Regulation of toll rates 131–H
Separate highway districts in certain counties 131–I
Boundary lines 131–J
Development of highways and other improvements in certain counties 131–K
County aid for construction and improvement of certain public highways and bridges in municipalities 133
Machinery, tools, equipment, implements, materials and supplies 133–A
Rental or hiring of county highway machinery, tools or equipment 134
Purchases by county purchasing agent 135
Snow removal, and cutting of weeds 135–A
Control of snow and ice conditions on county roads 136
Permits for work within the county road right of way 137
Maintenance of certain highways by a county 138
Bridge between Saratoga county and Warren county to be designated as the "Irving H 139
County liable for injuries caused by defective highways and bridges 139–A
Presentation of claims for torts
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 131-C. Location & construction of bridges's source at nysenate​.gov

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