The state now has plans to rehabilitate 78 of the 283 deficient bridges at an estimated cost of $500 million spread over five years.

According to a 2006 report, Oklahoma leads the nation with 6,299 "structurally deficient" bridges.

And a statewide inspection sweep last week found and closed seven deficient bridges.

He said the increase would allow rehabilitation of nearly all the 559 miles of the Thruway, and most of its deficient bridges.

Replace structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges throughout project area.

Long Island had the lowest percentage of deficient bridges of any region in the state - 255 of 847, or 30 percent.

"We have made a dent in the number of deficient bridges."

Last year New York had 11,098 deficient bridges, or 63.6 percent, the agency said.

And state and Federal officials have said that more than 10,000 of those deficient bridges have structural problems.

In 2007 Vermont had the sixth worst percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the country.