Loop Parkway To Close At Night Starting Next Week

Starting next week, the Loop Parkway will be completely closed in both directions weekday nights as crews work on repairing the draw bridge over Long Creek.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the closures will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 22 and go from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews work on structural, electrical and mechanical repairs to the bridge.

A detour will be made via the Long Beach Bridge, which connects the Barrier Island to Island Park via Long Beach Boulevard. Detour signs have already been posted, the DOT said, to guide drivers on the path.

The DOT expects the work to take about three weeks, but could be postponed or prolonged due to bad weather. The work was planned for the winter months to minimize the impact to boat and car traffic during the summer tourist season.

The bridge over Long Creek, as well as a nearby drawbridge on the Meadowbrook Parkway that spans Sloop Channel, were both built in 1934. They are now undergoing a $22.5 million strengthening and repair project that began in 2017. The DOT says that the work should be completed later this year.

NYSDOT has coordinated these closures with area emergency response units, local elected officials & civic organizations, the United States Coast Guard as well as the local maritime community. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of motorists, boaters, and the local community while this bridge maintenance project is undertaken to help assure the continued protection for all.

For more information on the project, visit the DOT's website.

Photo: Patch