What's up with the Loop?

To the chagrin of many motorists, the Loop Parkway drawbridge was closed for emergency repairs for two days last weekend, after New York State Department of Transportation officials said that one of the motors on the 75-year-old bridge was malfunctioning.

Engineers were forced to keep the bridge in the open position, and restricted all traffic starting on Friday, Jan. 28 at 11 p.m. It reopened to traffic last Monday, although the right westbound lane remains closed.

“Our goal was to have it open by rush hour on Monday,” said DOT spokeswoman Eileen Peters. “We will always err on the side of caution to protect motorists. We realize it was an inconvenience but it was for their safety.”

Peters said that one of the drive motors allowing the bridge to lower and lift was experiencing an electrical malfunction. The repairs are ongoing, she said, although the bridge remains lowered and marine traffic is currently being re-routed.

It was the latest repair project to impact motorists, many finding themselves forced to turn around. In October, the bridge was closed for a week when engineers made repairs to corroding steel that hold the bridge’s counterweights in place.

The drawbridge is considered one of the busiest bridges in the state, with 30,000 vehicles passing the span in both directions daily. It opens for more than 5,000 boats a year. Peters said that depending on the latest storm, the latest repairs should be completed on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Peters advised motorists to visit 511ny.org for updates, and drivers can receive announcements on their mobile devices via 511ny.mobi. Although electronic signs were posted near the major thoroughfare and automated calls were sent, many motorists said that the latest closure was a major inconvenience.

“I was signed up to do a race at Jones Beach and found out that the Loop was closed — why no notification signs in Long Beach?” one reader asked on the Herald’s Facebook page.

“Why not a sign on the Meadowbrook at Merrick Road or at Long Beach Boulevard?” commented another reader.