Preserving Long Island's Iconic Roadways

How concrete preservation keeps these historic routes thriving

Long Island’s roadways are more than transit routes—they're symbols of engineering excellence and historical significance. Through innovative preservation efforts centered on concrete preservation techniques, the Robert Moses Causeway, Meadowbrook Parkway, Palisades Interstate Parkway and the eastern end of the Long Island Expressway stand strong as vital connections.

Concrete preservation efforts have included:

•  Full-Depth Repairs. Deteriorated concrete is removed and replaced, restoring the roadways’ strength and durability.

  
  

• Partial-Depth Repairs. Used for shallower repairs, addressing issues like spalling or delamination. 

• Joint Resealing. Sealing joints helps prevent water infiltration and subsequent damage to the pavement structure. 

• Diamond Grinding. This precision technique smooths surfaces, enhances ride quality, and extends pavement life by reducing wear and tear. 

Robert Moses Causeway, built between 1950 and 1964, exemplifies midcentury ingenuity with its wide lanes and prominent spans. Modern upgrades like concrete deck replacement uphold its legacy.

Additionally, Meadowbrook Parkway, which opened in 1934, stands as a pioneer in Moses’s Long Island Parkway System. Preservation through diamond grinding and lane expansions ensures continued ease of travel.

Palisades Interstate Parkway, which runs along the west side of the Hudson River, opened in phases in the 1940s and 1950s. In 2017, NYSDOT employed full- and partial-depth repair, joint resealing and diamond grinding to return the section to a high-quality road—boasting 70+ years of service with an International Roughness Index (IRI) in the 60s!

Finally, thanks to the use of all pavement repair techniques, including full-depth repair and diamond grinding, Long Island Expressway (Eastern End) has maintained its functionality more than five decades after it was constructed. The most heavily trafficked road on Long Island helps travelers and goods reach their destinations, including the beaches at the far end of the island.

These roads are a testament to the impact concrete pavements had on the growth of American society. Great infrastructure developers like Robert Moses gave us beautiful, long-lasting infrastructure. What will we leave future generations? Hopefully the same!

Don’t miss next week’s installment when we turn our attention to U.S. Route 40, aka "National Road," which continues to serve as a lifeline, 100 years after it was built.

If you missed the first three installments of Age is Just a Number, you can find them here. https://www.igga.net/news