Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #29 Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge
The 29th bridge in the series documenting the 65 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the Long Island Railroad Bridge in Mineola. Thanks to Ron Ridolph, the bridge is well-documented.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
1907 Survey
The property for the railroad bridge and embankments was purchased in 1907. The bridge was built in 1909.
1928 Motor Parkway Atlas
As shown by the 1928 Motor Parkway Atlas, the Mineola LIRR Bridge was located just north of Old Country Road.
1938 Aerial
1983 (From the Ron Ridolph Collection)
In the early 1980s, Ron Ridolph photographed the Long Island Motor Parkway from Fresh Meadows to Lake Ronkonkoma. Among the events documented by Ron was the demolition of the Mineola LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge in 1983.
The demolition of the Motor Parkway LIRR bridges was funded by the MTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
On top of the bridge looking south.
Looking south, the northern abutment and the railroad trestle bridge prior to demolition.
Due to the lighter train schedule, most of the demolition was conducted at night...resulting in a fireworks-like display.
Comments
That spot was a short walk from the Mineola Community Swimming Pool and when I was a young fellow in the middle 1960s it was a teenage hangout. I did not know its significance nor did I know that it was demolished. Thanks for all of your interesting work.
I was 16 years old in 1983. I set out to search for more of the parkway one Sunday morning, and followed the power lines south from Wheatley Hills Golf Course. I found the LIRR bridge from the north, but went all the way to the south to access it. The land on both sides of the bridge was gone. Still I climbed up it. There was no doubt the bridge swayed as I stepped. The bridge in Albertson was solid as a rock. Also, the side retaining walls were low. In Albertson you could walk right up to the edge. Here I was afraid to go near the sides. When a westbound LIRR train came by the whole bridge shook. I knew it was not safe to be there. I took by bicycle home, and even stopped by the Albiertson bridge on the way. A couple of weeks later I took my father back to show him, and the work crew was there taking the bridge down.
-joe o
Also, I think you main picture may be Albertson. Albertson is the LIRR Bridge that had the weird box frame built on the side. I don’t believe it was there in Mineola. The final picture listed of the south abutment is Albertson. You can tell, there is no third rail on the train tracks.
-joe o
I know progress has its justifications but I can’t help thinking there will come a time when people will fondly but ineffective recall a forgotten Island called Long.
Joe,
Good catches. Will correct later today.
Howard
I’m amazed at the things I’m seeing and reading about that happened right where you live and never knew about it untill now. Never thought that where you’re standing is a historic place,in recards to the Vanderbilt Cup Races. You guys are great in finding things out and letting all of us know about it. Like I said.every time I come on this site there’s something new I find out,never a dull moment and informative. I’m on this site hour at a time and enjoy every minute of it too,no matter what it is
Talking about no matter what it is,those clips on the car chasers are great,I have’nt seen them in awhile or never saw them at all.I knew of the movies but never got to see them,now I did,a little bit of them anyway. Thanks for the entertainment that you always have and not just about the Vanderbilt Cup.