Patroon Island Bridge

The Patroon Island Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Hudson River between Albany and Rensselaer using ten spans of steel and concrete construction. It forms a critical section of the Interstate 90 corridor and permits river traffic to pass beneath with roughly 18 meters of clearance under the deck.

The bridge was built in 1968 and named after Lower Patroon Island, referencing Dutch colonial landowners who controlled territories during the New Amsterdam period. An extensive renovation in the 2010s modernized the structure after safety concerns arose regarding its design.

The bridge stands as a representation of mid-20th century American infrastructure development, connecting communities on both sides of the Hudson River.

The bridge handles about 70,000 vehicles daily, making it one of the busiest river crossings in the region. Visitors should expect delays during morning and evening rush periods, particularly when maintenance work affects traffic flow.

The bridge underwent intensive safety inspections following the collapse of a similarly designed Interstate bridge in Minneapolis. These inspections prompted extensive reinforcements and upgrades across the entire structure.

Location: New York

Official opening: 1968

GPS coordinates: 42.66500,-73.72900

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07