Update #2: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
As reported over the last four months on VanderbiltCupRaces.com, the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge had been subjected to dumping of debris and an attack by graffiti vandals last year. Here's the latest update on the cleanup and restoration of one of only two existing Motor Parkway bridges in Nassau County :
On March 4, 2011, Jim McKenna, the Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Michael Fritz, Superintendent of Park Maintenance, Nassau County Department of Parks committed to the following plan to clean up the bridge and its surrounding area:
-The fence near the bridge will be immediately repaired.
- Security surveillance at the site will be significantly expanded.
-The debris will be removed by the Organic Restoration farmers during March and April 2011.
-The Nassau County Department of Parks and Old Bethpage Village Restoration will remove the graffiti from the bridge by May 1, 2011.
-Old Bethpage Village Restoration will restore the concrete wall and railing of the bridge.
-Car clubs and the Long Island Preservation Society will thoroughly clean the bridge and surrounding area by the summer.
Here is a progress report:
Jim McKenna, Site Director of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, April 12, 2011: "The Restoration Farm began work on the debris on Thursday. They continued work on Saturday. I checked the progress on Thursday and will be checking again today."
Old Bethpage- April 14, 2011
A Motor Parkway marker near the bridge placed by the Ford Model-A Club several years ago.
The debris on the north side of the bridge has been removed. A ten-foot pile of debris remains on the south side.
The Motor Parkway above the bridge has been swept. Note: Remnants of the asphalt can now be seen.
The bridge walls on the north and south sides await restoration.
The fence cut last year by vandals remains open and unsecured. Old debris still litters the area.
Future Actions to be Taken
-The fence near the bridge will be repaired by the Nassau County Department of Parks.
-Security surveillance at the site will be significantly expanded.
-The debris on the south side of the bridge will be removed by the Organic Restoration farmers during April 2011.
-The Nassau County Department of Parks and Old Bethpage Village Restoration will remove the graffiti from the bridge by May 1, 2011.
-North Shore Monuments has offered to assist in the cleaning of the bridge.
- Old Bethpage Village Restoration will restore the concrete walls and railings of the bridge.
-In cooperation with Old Bethpage Village Restoration and the Nassau County Department of Parks, a clean-up day will be announced for May or early June. Car clubs and the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society will be participating. Newsday, News 12 and other local media will be covering this event.
If you or you car club wish to assist in this project and other efforts to preserve the Motor Parkway, please leave a comment below or send an email to me at [email protected] .
Links to related posts on the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge:
March 5, 2011:Update #1: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
December 15, 2010: Old Bethpage Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge to Receive a Cleaning
January 12, 2011: A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
February 15, 2011: Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
Comments
Without the efforts of fine gentleman like Howard and Al to “sound the call” to the County and officials at the Park this bridge would still be in disrepair and debris would be piled up and around it by uncaring people and groups. If you care about the L.I. Motor Parkway and long island history you need to voice your opinion to every political and elected official you can and make it known that this is important to preserve. You just know they will all show up to smile for photos when the project is done.
I know the L.I.Model A Ford club has been involved in cleaning up the bridge site in the past. I look forward to being able to help restoring this site.
Roger Price
From Sam Berliner III:
“I knew the OBVR bridge was in a bad way but hadn’t realized how severely deteriorated it had become since I last saw it”
From Dan Templeton , Secretary, New York Military Vehicle Club:
“I’ve just seen your webpage, regarding the old Motor Parkway Bridge in Old Bethpage Village, and I’d like to offer some help from the New York Military Vehicle Club. If possible, a date in June would be preferable, as May weekends are already booked on our Calendar. Please let me know if we can be of any help.”
From John M:
“I would love to help in the maintenance and restoration of the Motor Pkwy. As I child growing up in Fresh Meadows my dad often took me for walks along the old stretch between the LIE and Cunningham park. When we moved out to Bethpage I spent my youth playing on Dead Mans curve not realizing the significance. Now I have two children of my own and we take early Sunday walks along sections still remaining of the old road, Especially my little guy who looks for the fragements of the old asphalt during these walks. I am a board member of the Porsche club of America and currently live in Bethpage not far from the road.
Please keep me informed of when you need help what I can do to help. I interact with the motor pky every day as my office is right by the old schoolhouse foot bridge off of Maxess Rd. in Melville.”