The Preston Way bridge in Mount Kisco has closed until further notice. 

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

The sudden shutdown of a bridge in Northern Westchester has left residents frustrated and local leaders urging quick action as safety concerns force the long-problematic structure out of service indefinitely. 

The Village of Mount Kisco announced the closure of the Preston Way bridge just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, stating the bridge would close at 2 p.m. — less than an hour later — with no explanation provided, as Daily Voice previously reported. 

The bridge spans the Metro-North Harlem Line and is a key pedestrian and vehicle route for nearby apartment complexes and shoppers traveling to the Mount Kisco Commons plaza.

Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce has since shed light on why the shutdown happened so abruptly. She said the state’s bridge evaluation system flagged serious safety concerns, requiring the Preston Way bridge to be closed immediately. 

"The state is responsible for evaluating bridges, giving them a score, and highlighting ongoing safety issues. Depending on the results of an evaluation, a bridge may need to be suddenly closed," Pierce said.

Pierce added that the bridge’s problems have been “well documented for years,” with Mount Kisco in ongoing talks with the state and MTA regarding long-term repair or replacement. 

“These discussions will now need to speed up,” she said, stressing that safety must come before all else. 

She also warned that major infrastructure projects across the region are becoming “20 or 30% higher than estimates” due to tariffs and uncertainty in the construction industry, which may complicate the timeline for fixing the bridge. 

According to a spokesperson from the New York State Department of Transportation, a closure order was issued following an inspection, confirming Pierce's explanation. 

Although the bridge was ordered closed by the DOT, the structure is owned by the Village of Mount Kisco. 

While the shutdown may have been unavoidable, residents who rely on the bridge daily say the lack of notice has put them in crisis. 

The property manager of Pinecrest Manor Apartments, located at 1100 Amuso Drive near the bridge, blasted the decision, saying the closure affects dozens of vulnerable residents who rely on the walkway to reach the nearby Stop & Shop and Target stores for groceries and medications. 

"This is horrible," they wrote, adding, "We are a property that has families with no car to get to work, elderly tenants who walk to Stop & Shop to get food, and tenants in motorized wheelchairs that go to pick up meds, food, and other items at Target and the supermarket. How are they supposed to get there now." 

She called on Mount Kisco leaders to provide transportation for residents on fixed incomes who cannot afford taxis or rideshares and said attempts to reach the village manager have gone unanswered. 

Daily Voice has contacted the Village of Mount Kisco for comment. 

As for Legislator Pierce, she said she has reached out to the mayor, state representatives, emergency services, and public safety officials in hopes of coordinating a response plan while a long-term fix is developed.

"Patience will be important for the months ahead. But most importantly, resident safety must be paramount," Pierce said. 

This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.