N.Y. Highway Law Section 131-D
Construction by county of destroyed bridges

If any bridge within a county, or intersected by any boundary line of a county, shall be destroyed by the elements, and the board of supervisors of the county shall deem that the expenses of the construction of a new bridge at or near the site of the bridge so destroyed would be too burdensome upon the town or towns within such county, which would otherwise be liable therefor, the board of supervisors of any such county may provide for the construction and completion of a bridge and all necessary approaches thereto, at or near the site of the bridge so destroyed. If the bridge so destroyed shall have been constructed by a corporation created under a general law, and the site thereof, and the approaches thereto, or either, shall be the property of such corporation, such board of supervisors may purchase the interest of such corporation, or any other person, in such site or approaches, if such purchase can be accomplished upon reasonable terms; but if such site or approaches can not be lawfully acquired by such purchase, or otherwise, upon reasonable terms, such board may acquire title to premises on either side of such site, and provide for the construction of a bridge and approaches thereto, at such place, at the expense of the county or of the two counties jointly, as the came may be, provided such bridge shall be so located as not to increase the distance to be traveled upon the highway to reach each end of such bridge more than five rods. Any board of supervisors providing for the construction of any such bridge may determine by resolution whether the expenses of the maintenance and repair thereof shall thereafter be a county charge, or a charge upon such town or towns.

Source: Section 131-D — Construction by county of destroyed bridges, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/HAY/131-D (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Nov. 15, 2025).

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:
Nov. 15, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 131-D. Construction by county of destroyed bridges's source at nysenate​.gov

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