Speeds reduced until May over historic Nassau drawbridges as roadwork restarts
Traffic will be slowed near the Loop Parkway drawbridge, seen here in 2022, and the drawbridge over Sloop Channel. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Speeds over two historic drawbridges in Nassau will be reduced until May as the steel bridge decks are replaced, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The speed limit has been lowered from 55 mph to 35 mph on the Meadowbrook State Parkway drawbridge over Sloop Channel and the Loop Parkway drawbridge over Long Creek in Hempstead.
The work zones will also impact traffic flow on the parkways, with lanes in both directions reduced to one. The closures and lowered speeds will be in effect for roughly six months, when work is expected to be completed.
The $13.1 million project kicked off last fall but paused in May to allow for summer beach travel. Officials said that the eastbound span of the Loop Parkway Bridge and the center sections of the two Meadowbrook Parkway Bridge spans had been completed by then.
Work to finish the remaining sections restarted in September.
New York State Police will provide additional speed enforcement at both locations and automated work zone speed cameras may also be deployed. Fines for speeding are doubled in work zones.
Built in 1934, the bridges are important to South Shore motorists and beachgoers.
The Loop Parkway drawbridge connects the Meadowbrook to Point Lookout and is heavily trafficked by those traveling to and from Point Lookout, Lido Beach and Long Beach.
The Meadowbrook State Parkway drawbridge handles traffic to and from Jones Beach.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
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