OGDENSBURG -- State Sen. Darrel Aubertine joined the board of the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority and local community leaders to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge and announce a $30,000 legislative grant he secured to make improvements to Building 14 in the industrial park.

“This bridge is critical to our economy here in St. Lawrence County, bringing in nearly $1.4 billion in goods annually with half a million vehicles crossing every year,” Aubertine said. “It truly is an integral piece of our economy now and our future with the industrial park playing a central role in the future."

The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge was dedicated on Sept. 27, 1960 and is composed of three types of bridge spans: girder, truss and suspension, with an open deck. Its original construction cost $17.3 million 50 years ago and it has undergone no major capital construction since opening.

The $30,000 grant will be used to create jobs by offsetting expansion costs for new clients in Building 14 of the Ogdensburg Industrial Park. These funds paid for a sprinkler system drops in the unfinished office area, bathrooms and an electrical panel.