Security Strengthened At 5 Hudson River Bridges

In the interest of public safety, the security of five key bridges over the Hudson River is being tightened - Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports

Security is being on the Hudson Valley's most highly trafficked bridges - although the September Eleven attacks are fading memories - officials are concerned about domestic terrorism - Joseph Ruggiero, the Executive Director of the New York State Bridge Authority, points out that  a co-ordinated security and intelligence effort will enhance public safety - in the Ohio case, five men were arrested as they allegedly arranged to pick up C4 explosives which would have been used to destroy a highway bridge just south of Cleveland.

Ruggiero notes the enhanced New York security effort is being deployed along the Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Rip Van Winkle and Bear Mountain bridges.

All 5 bridges are monitored at a central contol room.

The New York State Bridge Authority retained HNTB Engineering, a company that's been around since 1914 : the firm designed the first modern turnpike and a significant portion of the U.S. Interstate Highway System. Ruggiero says work is underway.

Officials with HTNB declined to comment. The company website indicates HTNB is experienced in bridge planning --- the pricetag for the 5 Hudson Valley bridges comes to approximately $93,000, paid in full by a Homeland Security grant.