Mystery Friday Foto #12 Solved; The Oyster Bay LIRR Bridge Williston Park & East Williston Abutment
Did you identify this bridge abutment?
Mystery Foto questions:
- Location of the bridge abutment
This bridge abutment is the remnants of the Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road bridge between Williston Park and East Williston
- What was special about this bridge?
One of only 3 railroad, steel trestle bridges in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- When was the bridge taken down?
1983
Congrats to David Miller, Mark Lanese, Joseph Oesterle, Dave Russo and Frank Femenias for correctly identifying this bridge abutment.
Greg O.
Close-Up
1950
The bridge still stood throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's
1983 (From the Ron Ridolph Collection)
Comments
This is the Oyster Bay LIRR Bridge abutment that carried the Motor Parkway over the tracks between Williston Park and East Williston. It was special in the fact that it was the second Motor Parkway bridge over a railroad. It was demolished in 1983. For a moment I thought this could have been the unfinished “Mayan Ruins” bridge in Garden City. But I believe the fencing and amount of graffiti here in this picture lead me to decide that its the Oyster Bay LIRR bridge.
Just a pure guess. The end of the stretch from Peck Avenue to Winchester Blvd at Creedmor, which I rode regularly as a kid in the late 50s and early 60s while on my English 3-speed Ross racing bike. If this is correct, the bridge was probably taken down when the Cross Island Parkway opened in ‘38-‘39, which required the reconstruction of nearby street roads including Winchester Road.
Looks like the abutment for the LIMP bridge that crossed over the LIRR in Williston Park. Taken down in the ‘80’s.
This is the LIRR Bridge in Albertson. Long ago it connected the remnants that now lead to the Williston Park Pool with the section running next to the Roslyn Toll Lodge. I found this bridge when I was about 11 years old in 1977. Immediately I could see, as if clouds parted, the pieces of the LIMP line up. The pool entrance, the road behind Albertson Park, the pavement and sidewalks (at 11 years old I called them sidewalks) all through the back yards behind Schley Avenue. The way my dad told me the parkway went right through the VFW. And finally, the remnants in the old estate across Old Searingtown Road my brother showed me. I was so fascinated that day. I just wanted to follow the old road in both directions and see what I could find. The bridge was removed in 1983. A sad day when I saw it had come down. It was solid. Not like the Mineola LIRR Bridge which was not. I am not sure what you are looking for that was ‘special.” To me it was super special. And it ignited me to want to know more.
Good one Greg. Thought I could figure it out but can’t after too much time spent. Probably going to be a head slapper.
I don’t know the pics from the early 1900s, but I know all of the current ones!
This is the remaining bridge abutment on the railroad tracks between Willis Ave and Roslyn Rd.
The stretch from this abutment to Roslyn Road is a great LIMP location.
mayan ruins.
Bridge was never built.
2018
Could be the Oyster Bay- LIRR parkway bridge in Williston Park. Taken down in 1983
Pics from 2019—- the last pic is once you cross the tracks and start heading east towards Roslyn Road, one of the most beautiful LIMP remnant locations.
These pics are from last year….June 2022.
Great recent shots Dave Russo! Yes it is an incredible stretch of Motor Parkway that still exists today. I’ve been there. It’s amazing that it’s still there untouched!
Fabulous photo collection from Ron Ridolph documenting the Motor Parkway’s status in 1983, including removal of the LIMP RR bridges and of the Eastern Terminus at the Petit Trianon. Amazing work by all!
Excellent pics!