By Hank Russell
A couple of days after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman brought to light the deteriorating conditions on a Long Island bridge, two local assemblymen demanded that the state fix the bridge immediately.
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, Blakeman blasted Governor Kathy Hochul for failing to maintain New York’s aging infrastructure after an alarming video revealed a large hole in the roadway of the state-owned Fire Island Inlet Bridge. He also noted that Long Island’s share of state transportation funding has fallen from nearly 24% historically to well under 15% today — even as vehicle registrations and travel demand continue to rise. In inflation-adjusted terms, state highway investment on Long Island has dropped by more than 50% from peak levels.
On February 26, in response to the video, Assemblymen Jarrett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville) and Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park) wrote a letter to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Long Island Regional Director Richard Causin demanding that the bridge be fixed now rather than the scheduled date of Fall 2027.
In a copy of the letter obtained by LILP, Gandolfo and Durso said waiting until next year to make repairs to the bridge will be too late. “We are concerned that the bridge will continue to deteriorate as we wait, which may lead to additional safety concerns, hazards, and closures,” they wrote. “We respectfully ask that you begin this critical project in 2026 instead. Doing so will help ensure the continued structural integrity of the bridge, protect public safety, and restore public confidence in our infrastructure.”
“You don’t slap patches on a bridge and hope for the best-you fix it the right way,” said Durso. “NYSDOT needs to expedite a full repair instead of relying on short-term fixes for two years, because when it comes to safety, there’s no room for shortcuts.”
The Fire Island Inlet Bridge serves as a vital link between mainland communities and the beloved beaches of Robert Moses State Park, as well as access to Fire Island. It supports seasonal tourism, recreation and the many small local businesses that rely on summer visitors. As a key gateway to one of Long Island’s most treasured destinations, the bridge plays an essential role in the region’s economy and quality of life.
“We appreciate NYSDOT’s swift response in completing emergency repairs and reopening the bridge,” said Gandolfo. “However, I don’t think anyone is comfortable with the pavement eroding to the point that we can see the water below. It’s clear that the total rehabilitation of the bridge needs to be done sooner. Waiting until 2027 to begin construction presents unnecessary risks to public safety and the long-term integrity of this critical infrastructure.”
LILP reached out to the NYSDOT for comment.
“On Thursday [February 19], the New York State Department of Transportation responded to a report of erosion damage to a portion of the Fire Island Inlet Bridge deck, which was likely caused by recent severe weather and the repeated freeze-thaw cycle,” said spokesperson Stephen Canzoneri. “Upon further inspection, NYSDOT maintenance crews and contractors determined the extent of the damage was limited.”
Canzoneri said NYSDOT crew members secured steel platesover that section of the bridge deck and another pothole, which allowed the roadway to be re-opened “pending further repairs when conditions permit.”
“The bridge remains safe for travel and NYSDOT, as always, will continue to monitor conditions on the span. A previously planned rehabilitation of the Fire Island Inlet Bridge is expected to begin in 2027,” Canzoneri said.