Exclusive: Inspection reports reveal years of deterioration of Fire Island Inlet Bridge
The bridge briefly shut down last month after a boater reported that a piece of concrete had fallen from the span.
More Stories
Newly obtained inspection reports reveal that the Fire Island Inlet Bridge to Robert Moses State Park has been slowly deteriorating for years—raising questions about maintenance priorities.
The bridge briefly shut down last month after a boater reported that a piece of concrete had fallen from the span. The closure prompted News 12 to review state inspection records dating back to 2020, which show visible signs of wear and degradation that engineers had flagged as early as four years ago.
Photos and documentation show a clear progression of damage: rusted steel supports, cracking concrete, and exposed rebar—both in the bridge’s deck and support columns. In one report from 2021, engineers observed surface-level degradation on a column. By 2024, that damage had worsened significantly, with steel reinforcement visible through deepened cracks.
“You start to see increased wearing of the concrete,” said Michael Shenoda, a civil engineering technology professor at Farmingdale State College.
He noted that while the deterioration appears consistent with normal wear and tear, the latest inspection suggests the bridge should be moved up the list for repair priorities.
“There was some indication that this bridge ought to perhaps be moved up in priority in terms of maintenance based on the newest report,” Shenoda said.
In response to News 12’s findings, New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesperson Stephen Canzoneri emphasized that the bridge remains safe.
“The state Department of Transportation performs consistent inspections of the Fire Island Inlet Bridge and it is safe for travel,” Canzoneri said. “Safety is always our top priority and we continue to closely monitor the condition of the structure.”
The Fire Island Inlet Bridge isn’t the only span in Suffolk County to face recent scrutiny. The Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays was closed earlier this year after an inspection revealed deterioration in its concrete girders. It later reopened under weight restrictions.
As for the Fire Island Inlet Bridge, the DOT says plans are in place to repaint the structure—helping to seal it against the corrosive effects of saltwater—and to carry out steel repairs and preventative maintenance. However, no timeline has been announced for when that work will begin.
