A new report suggests that the public may be at risk due to troubling gaps in inspections and monitoring of railroad bridges.

The report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office says the Department of Transportation is not adequately assuring the safety of the nearly 3,000 railroad bridges it is required to inspect.

The report says the DOT doesn't monitor bridge inspection compliance. It says 43 of the agency's bridge inspections were late, and eight inspections it was required to do were incomplete.

One of the bridges slated for refurbishing is a rail crossing at Post Avenue in Westbury. The LIRR plans to spend $200 million to give the station and rail crossing a much-needed face-lift.

No specific Long Island bridges or railroads were singled out in the report. The MTA chose not to comment on bridge safety inspections, but the DOT emailed News 12 a statement saying that safety is its top priority.

For extended interview on falling bridges in NYS, watch the clip to the left or click News 12 Extra on Optimum TV channel 612.