4 October 2025
How two Long Island bridges went from suspension-test nightmares to smooth sailing — thanks to some much-needed state love.
You know those two bridge repairs the state just finished? The ones on the Robert Moses Causeway (over Ocean Parkway) and the Great Neck Road (CR 47) bridge over Sunrise Highway in Babylon / Copiague? They’re done—the joints, bearings, steel / concrete work, everything—so the state says both bridges should last another 50 years. [Source]
My view from the road
Robert Moses Causeway Bridge
This is a lifeline for people going to Robert Moses State Park, Jones Beach, Captree, etc. It’s always busy in summer, and even out of peak season, you see a decent number of cars.
- They replaced the joints—including the ones that used to give you that annoying “thump-thump” feel when you crossed. Now the ride is much smoother.
- They swapped in new bridge bearings and reinforced supports, so things feel tighter and less rattly.
- But don’t get too comfortable—this inlet span (the piece over the Fire Island inlet) has had recent inspections. At times they reduced it to one lane or paused traffic alternately.
- There are known detours: when the southbound part is closed over Ocean Parkway, they route you onto westbound Ocean Parkway for about a mile, then make you bear left to a turnaround to get back eastbound and reconnect.
- Also, during busy beach times, police sometimes reroute the Causeway traffic down to Ocean Parkway, making you drive farther and U-turn back to re-enter the Causeway. What would be a 20-minute trip can turn into almost an hour.
Great Neck Road Bridge (CR 47 over Sunrise Highway)
This one I cross often, especially driving between Copiague / North Amityville and points farther north or via Sunrise Highway.
- Great Neck Road is a sort of diagonal connector from Copiague up through North Amityville toward Farmingdale, crossing Sunrise Highway and then ending into NY-110 / Main Street.
- Before repairs, the bridge felt worn—bumps at the joints, a slight sway under heavier vehicles. After the rehab, the joints and structural parts got upgraded, so it’s more stable now.
- Traffic flow across here is less dramatic than the Causeway (fewer surprises), but during school hours or rush hour you can get delays, since this is one of the few north–south crossings in that area.
From someone who lives it: how I adjust when I drive
- I always check 511NY / the real-time traffic map before heading out, especially during summer weekends.
- If I see delays or alerts for the Causeway, sometimes I’ll avoid going all the way to the park and pick a beach further west or east.
- For the Causeway inbound, I try to time the crossing early or later in the day to avoid congestion around midday.
- For Great Neck Road, if I know there’s heavy traffic on Sunrise Highway or the bridge itself, I might detour via NY-110 and then catch Sunrise or another parallel road to avoid gridlock.
- At night, I’m cautious—even though the bridge is “done,” inspections sometimes force intermittent single-lane closures or alternating traffic across the inlet span. You might get stuck waiting.