US Bridges

RTE 908J over Great South Bay

Fair

Suffolk County, New York · At Fire Island Inlet · Structure no. 000000001058811

Built
1951
74 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
10,519 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
8,443
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE 908J over Great South Bay is a steel truss - thru carrying RTE 908J over Great South Bay in Suffolk County, New York. It was built in 1951 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 74 years old, older than the New York average of 53 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 8,443 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,043 by 2041. The structure is 10,519 ft (3,206.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRTE 908J
CrossesGreat South Bay
LocationAt Fire Island Inlet
RouteState Highway 908J
CountySuffolk County
StateNew York
Coordinates40.65935, -73.26481
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating86.4 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+150 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length10,519 ft (3,206.2 m)
Longest span600 ft (182.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (4.9 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,443 (2021)
Projected traffic10,043 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$269 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE 908J over Great South Bay built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is RTE 908J over Great South Bay in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in December 2024.

How much traffic does RTE 908J over Great South Bay carry?

About 8,443 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is RTE 908J over Great South Bay?

The structure is 10,519 ft (3,206.2 m) long with a longest span of 600 ft (182.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns RTE 908J over Great South Bay?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.