The Highway and Bridge Engineering Division is responsible for the programming, administration, design, engineering, and construction supervision of capital highway, bridge, and culvert improvement projects; oversees the inspections of bridges, culverts, and retaining walls; manages guiderail design, installation, and inspection; and operation and maintenance of the Colonel Patrick O’Rorke Memorial Bridge.

This Division includes two (2) Sections:

• Highway and Bridge Engineering
• Colonel Patrick O’Rorke Bridge Operations

Highway and Bridge Engineering Section

The Highway and Bridge Engineering Section is responsible for planning, programming, pursuing funding, and administering the design and construction of all County highway, bridge, and culvert capital improvement projects. This Section reviews and coordinates the installation and replacement of traffic features (signs, pavement markings, and traffic signals) for City of Rochester street projects. This Section is also responsible for engineering, inspecting, and prioritizing an annual preventive maintenance program for approximately 180 bridges (120 solely owned by the County), including the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge (IBOB), approximately 60 bridges co-maintained with other agencies such as New York State DOT and New York State Thruway Authority, and approximately 350 major culverts. Guide rail and retaining wall design, installation, inspection, and repair are also the responsibility of this Section.

O'Rorke Bridge Operations Section

The O'Rorke Bridge Operations Section operates and maintains the Colonel Patrick O’Rorke Memorial Drawbridge on behalf on New York State DOT in order to move people and goods safely and efficiently over the Genesee River between the City of Rochester and Town of Irondequoit. The bridge operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week, from April 1 through December 15 each year, and with at least 12 hours advance notice at all other times . It is estimated that the bridge is lifted 325 times per year. The lower part of the Genesee River is classified by the U. S. Coast Guard as a navigational channel and federal law requires that the waterway be unobstructed (CFR 117.785).

Notable Bridges in Monroe County

• Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge
• Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge
• Stuart Road Bridge

Documents & Maps

• Monroe County Bridge Inventory
• Maintenance Jurisdiction table
• Height Clearance and Restricted Bridge Posting
• Map of Bridges & Culverts
• Map of Guiderail and Herbicide

MCDOT Standard Details & Specifications

Standard Details

Monroe County DOT Standard Details are used to detail work to be constructed within the County Right of Way. The details are used by consultants, developers, contractors, utilities, and homeowners for work on County highways and bridges, and for any other permitted work within the County Right of Way. All details are in English units. The details may be used for preparing permit applications or contract documents for capital improvement and maintenance projects.

View Monroe County DOT Standard Details

Standard Specifications

Monroe County DOT Standard Specifications are used by consultants, developers, contractors, utilities, and homeowners for work to be constructed within the County Right of Way in lieu of similar New York State DOT specifications. The specifications are provided for information and use in preparing contract documents for capital improvement and maintenance projects. All County projects are designed and constructed using English units of measurement. The specifications are all written in English units, unless otherwise noted.

View Monroe County DOT Standard Specifications

Bridge Operation Videos:

Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge (IBOB) Operation - November 1, 2022

• Video of O'Rorke lift operation - 1:35 timelapse (April 2012)