Project Type: Bridge Inspection

Robert Moses Causeway

Long Island, NY

As a prime consultant, ARORA and ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Arora) was responsible for the structural and safety inspection survey, load rating calculations and report preparation for 200 bridges (1,212 spans) located in Nassau and Suffolk Counties of NYSDOT Region 10.  The bridges were located along highways such as the Robert Moses Causeway, Long Island Expressway and the Sagtikos State, Meadowbrook and Loop Parkways and traverse various highways, waterways and railroads. We utilized maintenance of traffic and underbridge inspection equipment to inspect these structures.  In-depth hands-on inspections were performed on fatigue-prone details and fracture-critical members.  Some bridges were also located over high-speed electrified rail lines, which facilitated the need for track outages, flagmen protection and de-energization of overhead catenaries.  Flags were issued for structural deficiencies and/or safety related conditions. Underwater inspections were also performed.

The inspections included the suspended arch bridge of the Robert Moses Causeway, numerous steel stringer and prestressed concrete bridges, concrete arches and several moveable bridges.  During inspection of the 29-span, 4,300' long Robert Moses Causeway over Fire Island Inlet, we discovered a through crack in the lower chord of the 500' long suspended steel arch span.  We notified NYSDOT personnel, designed the repair scheme, and worked with NY State's on-call contractor during the repairs.