New York Dedicated Bridge to Fallen NYSDOT Worker
A bridge on State Route 22 now honors Robert Bornt, a longtime state employee killed in a 2025 work zone crash.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Unions
State officials have dedicated a bridge in Rensselaer County to the memory of Robert Bornt, a New York State Department of Transportation employee who served for 22 years. The memorial follows legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul to honor Bornt, who died after being struck in a work zone.
Why it matters
The dedication serves to honor Bornt while drawing attention to the persistent dangers faced by road maintenance workers in New York. His death remains part of a broader, tragic history of workplace fatalities within the state transportation agency.
The New York State Department of Transportation has recorded 59 worker deaths in the line of duty throughout its history. In 2025 alone, 366 work zone crashes occurred on agency-owned roads, resulting in 58 injuries and two fatalities.
The players
Robert Bornt
He was a dedicated employee of the New York State Department of Transportation who served the agency for 22 years.
Kathy Hochul
She is the Governor of New York who signed the legislation authorizing the memorial bridge.
New York State Department of Transportation
This is the state agency responsible for the maintenance and safety of New York's vast network of roads and bridges.
The details
Signs were officially unveiled in both directions along State Route 22 to mark the structure as the Robert Bornt Memorial Bridge. The ceremony was held at the Petersburgh Baptist Church to celebrate the life of the Hoosick Falls resident who died at Albany Medical Center.
Timeline
May 29, 2025: Robert Bornt was struck while working in a zone in Pittstown.
May 30, 2025: Robert Bornt died following the injuries sustained in the crash.
Summer 2026: Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to authorize the bridge memorial.
October 2026: The bridge dedication ceremony took place.
Political Context
This memorial underscores the ongoing push for stricter enforcement of the New York State Work Zone Safety Act. Opponents of current traffic laws often argue that infrastructure improvements are more critical than symbolic gestures in preventing future work zone fatalities.
Commuters traveling along State Route 22 will notice the new signage designating the memorial bridge in Rensselaer County. The designation serves as a reminder to drivers of the legal requirements and safety precautions necessary when passing through active state work zones.
The takeaway
Honoring fallen workers provides a tangible way for communities to acknowledge the sacrifices made by public servants on state roads. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant in work zones to ensure the safety of crews performing essential maintenance.
Further reading
Learn more about labor advocacy and state worker protections in New York Unions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Saratogian.
