2 North Shore Bridges Deemed 'Structurally Deficient:' Report

MANHASSET, NY — Nearly a dozen Long Island bridges, including two on the North Shore, have been deemed "structurally deficient," according to a recent report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

A bridge is classified as structurally deficient if the deck, superstructure, substructure, or culverts, are rated in poor or worse condition, the association said. During an inspection, bridges are rated on a scale of 0 (failed condition) to 9 (excellent condition). A rating of 4 is considered "poor" condition.

While a "poor" rating does not mean a bridge is imminently unsafe, the association believes the structure is in need of maintenance, repairs, or more frequent monitoring.

In total, nine bridges on Long Island have been classified as "structurally deficient." Of those, six were constructed before 1940. The list is as follows:

Nassau County

• Webster Avenue Bridge in Manhasset (constructed: 1898)
• Barstow Road Bridge in Great Neck (constructed: 1935)

Suffolk County

• Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Bohemia (constructed: 1996)
• Park Road Bridge over Connetquot Brook in Oakdale (constructed: 1900)
• Mallow Reach Bridge over Auerbach Channel in Hewlett Harbor (constructed: 1932)
• Smith Point Bridge over Narrow Bay in Shirley (constructed: 1959)
• Lakeview Avenue West Bridge in Brightwaters (constructed: 1910)
• Sunrise Highway Bridge over North Road in Hampton Bays (constructed: 1959)
• River Avenue Bridge in Eastport (constructed: 1907)

The Webster Avenue Bridge, which runs over the LIRR's Port Washington line, is maintained by the Town of North Hempstead and the LIRR. It was last inspected in August 2021, according to state documents.

The LIRR is responsible for the bridge's frame and had previously announced plans to replace it, according to Newsday. North Hempstead Town Councilmember Veronica Lurvey told the news outlet that those plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, earlier this month, Lurvey and other local officials reportedly sent a letter to the LIRR, urging the agency to prioritize the replacement project once again.

The letter stated that a previous inspection found "several red flags, including deterioration of lateral bracing and significant bearing deterioration at the abutments," according to Newsday.

Crews have fixed the bridge to ensure it remained safe, but Newsday says Lurvey doesn't believe those fixes are sufficient.

"(N)ow is the time to replace the bridge," she said.

The Barstow Road Bridge is owned by the Village of Great Neck and was last inspected in September 2020. It runs over the Great Neck train station on the LIRR's Port Washington line.

The roadway on Barstow Road Bridge was repaved by the Village last fall, officials said, adding that they plan for more repairs this year.