Loose stone on overpass prompts Meadowbrook lane closure

A loose block of decorative stone on the arch of a section of the Meadowbrook Parkway in Westbury forced the closure of the northbound left-hand lane for close to six hours Thursday, state officials said.

New York State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Eileen Peters said state police troopers noticed the dislodged stone at 10:45 a.m. - and immediately closed the lane. One lane on the bridge was closed as well. Officials said a maintenance crew expected to have the bridge repaired and the lanes reopened in time for the evening rush hour.

Northbound traffic on the Meadowbrook reopened at 4:30 p.m.

"Our inspectors said the damage was typical of a bridge hit," Peters said. "That troubles us greatly, since trucks are not allowed on the parkway - and are not allowed in the left-hand lane under any circumstances on Long Island."

She said the police investigation has so far not uncovered any witnesses to the strike.

A photograph of the scene showed the stone, part of the arch span on the north side of the bridge, pulled out of position and hanging dangerously over the road. The bridge spans the parkway at Exit M1.