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Latest update (2 p.m., Monday): The inlet span of Robert Moses Causeway has reopened to traffic after the state DOT performed emergency inspections overnight into this morning.
The NYS Parks Department had initiated the emergency response — which resulted in partial closures — after a charter boat captain reported a possible piece of concrete falling from the span around 9 p.m. Sunday, officials said.
“Following reports of an object falling from the Fire Island Inlet bridge on Sunday night, the New York State Department of Transportation has conducted two inspections of the bridge and determined that it is structurally sound and safe for travel,” said Stephen Canzoneri, a DOT spokesman. “The bridge is now open in both directions.”
“The chief engineer said the inspection is complete and nothing was found,” a parks department spokesman earlier told Greater Long Island. “But we are going to restrict access to boats under the bridge in the area where this was reported.”
But there are more precautions to come.
“Safety is always the top priority of the New York State Department of Transportation and in an abundance caution the department is planning to conduct another inspection of the bridge this evening and perform any maintenance that is needed,” Canzoneri further stated.
To that end, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with alternating flows of traffic from 10 p.m. tonight, Monday, July 14, through noon on Tuesday.
“In the interest of safety, NYSDOT is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to limit marine traffic to the south side of the inlet until the completion of tonight’s inspection,” Canzoneri continued. “We would like to thank our partners at New York State Police, New York State Park Police, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for their support.”
Check back with Greater Long Island for any additional updates.
Original post (9:30 a.m., Monday): A charter boat captain reported that (what looked like) a piece of concrete had fallen from the Robert Moses inlet bridge Sunday night.
That prompted emergency traffic closures as the state DOT headed over to investigate, state officials said.
The initial report came in around 9 p.m. Sunday. The bridge’s southbound lane remains closed as of this morning.
“NYSDOT bridge maintenance staff conducted an initial inspection during the overnight time period,” said a state parks department spokesman Monday morning. “In the interest of safety, traffic is being limited to one direction until a secondary inspection can be [conducted] in the daylight.”
New York State Police troopers are assisting with traffic control.
Follow Greater Long Island for updates.
Top: The inlet span of the Robert Moses Causeway leads to the park and Fire Island. (GLI file photo/Nick Esposito)
