Fire Island Inlet Bridge hole exposes bigger problem

You don't need to be a traffic engineer to know that a hole in a bridge is dangerous.

Recent videos on social media showing a gaping hole in the Fire Island Inlet Bridge have caused a stir, rightfully so since the bridge was temporarily closed in July after a report of falling concrete, inspected three times and reopened. How did the bridge pass inspections only to need emergency repairs months later?

Back then, a state Department of Transportation chief engineer told Newsday, "While we will continue to monitor the condition of the bridge, our engineers have determined that the bridge remains safe for travel and will remain fully open for vehicular and marine traffic for the foreseeable future."

Half a year later, a dangerous hole in the bridge opened.

What went wrong? And how can the state ensure future inspections identify impending problems before the next viral video alarms people?

Assembs. Jarett Gandolfo (R-Sayville) and Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park) want the state to expedite its already scheduled fall 2027 repairs of the bridge. "We are concerned that the bridge will continue to deteriorate as we wait, potentially leading to additional safety concerns, hazards, and closures," they wrote.

State DOT spokesman Stephen Canzoneri told Newsday's news division the recent freeze-thaw cycle likely caused the damage. He told the editorial board that steel plates were installed to cover the hole, and repairs to fill it in will be made when weather conditions permit. He added that a "rehabilitation project" was in the "design phrase."

That's doesn't convey any sense of urgency. The DOT needs to do more to instill confidence that the bridge is safe, from above and below, and ahead of the busy summer season.

DOT inspects 92% of the 17,607 bridges in the state. Tolling authorities and commissions inspect their own bridges and submit reports to the state. Bridges on Long Island are, statistically, overwhelmingly safe. Of the 695 bridges across the Island inspected by the state, 1.7% received a "poor status" rating. DOT states, "The fact that a bridge is in poor condition does not imply that it is unsafe or likely to collapse."

Canzoneri told the news division that the state allocates $200 million in local bridge aid. Long Island bridges are susceptible to damage from persistent exposure to saltwater, among other predictable factors.

While one hole in one bridge is relatively easy to fix, the larger issue is fixing the process so a bridge that passes an inspection required once every two years doesn't need emergency repairs. That should concern motorists across the Island and state.

The department would be wise to give the public a concrete and speedy timeline for repairs with frequent updates.

And for the Island's nearly 700 bridges, the DOT needs to re-evaluate its inspection procedures. If a bridge passes inspection and remains open but experiences significant damage twice in half a year, something was missed.