Fire Island Reconstruction and the Robert Moses Parkway Proposals
Following the devastation of the 1938 Long Island Express hurricane, the landscape of Fire Island became the center of a massive engineering and urban planning debate. Robert Moses, the director of the Long Island State Park Commission (LISPC), viewed the disaster as a catalyst for a comprehensive reconstruction project designed to shield the island from future natural catastrophes.
The Initial 1938 Reconstruction Plan
Robert Moses and W. Earle Andrews developed an ambitious $9.3 million proposal to bolster the island's defenses. The core of the plan involved the movement of 35,000,000 cubic yards (940,000,000 cu ft) of sand to create a continuous fill extending from Fire Island Inlet to the United States Coast Guard station at Shinnecock.
To achieve this, sand would be dredged from the Shinnecock Bay, Moriches Bay, and the Great South Bay. These fills were designed to be approximately 80 feet (24 m) wide, with additional work planned for the Shinnecock and Moriches Inlets.
To combat ongoing beach erosion, Moses and Andrews proposed constructing a 30-foot (9.1 m) wide two-lane parkway atop the fill. This infrastructure would consist of 22-foot (6.7 m) wide concrete lanes flanked by 8-foot (2.4 m) turf shoulders, serving as a structural barrier against the sea.
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Expanding the Network: The Ponquogue Parkway
The vision extended beyond the shoreline. The planners proposed two parkway spurs crossing the Shinnecock Bay and Great South Bay using bascule lift bridges (movable bridges that counterweight a leaf to allow boat traffic). These spurs would connect to Ponquogue Avenue (current-day CR 32) and the William Floyd Parkway (current-day CR 46), eventually terminating at Montauk Highway (NY 27A) in Hampton Bays and Shirley.
Known locally as the Ponquogue Parkway or an extension of the Ocean Parkway, this 47.5-mile (76.4 km) project aimed to integrate three new areas into the New York State Parks system: Quogue, Point O'Woods, and Smith Point (which would replace the existing Smith Point County Park). Additionally, the Fire Island State Park was slated for a complete rebuild.
Budgetary Cuts and Revisions
Within a year, W. Earle Andrews reduced the project cost by over $6 million. These cuts resulted in the removal of the state parks at Point O'Woods and Quogue, as well as the cancellation of the bridge over Fire Island Inlet. The plan was also modified to include a new turnoff in Hampton Bays instead of extending to Southampton and NY 27A. Funding for the revised project was to be provided by a Public Works Administration grant and Suffolk County.
Later Proposals and Local Opposition
Despite the initial planning, local opposition regarding costs stalled the project in 1938. Robert Moses revived the proposal in 1944, driven by the belief that the area would not face similar storms again. By 1962, Moses returned with a truncated version of the plan, supported by a 15-member commission that had approved a $137 million (1962 USD) shoreline plan stretching from Montauk to Tottenville, Staten Island.
This 1962 proposal sought to extend the Ocean Parkway across most of Fire Island, ending at a junction in Smith Point County Park. However, Fire Island residents opposed the plan, arguing that the construction timeline was too long and advocating for temporary protection measures instead. While the funding group claimed only New York State Legislature approval was needed, both the state and Suffolk County indicated they would withhold funds from any project that did not include the parkway extension.
Key Facts
- Primary Goal: To restrain future natural disaster damage following the 1938 hurricane.
- Sand Volume: 35 million cubic yards of sand were proposed for the fill.
- Infrastructure: A 30-foot wide parkway with concrete lanes and turf shoulders to prevent erosion.
- Proposed Length: The Ponquogue Parkway extension was planned for 47.5 miles.
- Funding Sources: Public Works Administration and Suffolk County.
| Feature | 1938 Original Proposal | 1962 Truncated Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Cost | $9.3 Million | Part of $137 Million shoreline plan |
| Extent | Fire Island Inlet to Shinnecock | Ocean Parkway to Smith Point County Park |
| Key Infrastructure | Bascule lift bridges and 47.5-mile parkway | Truncated parkway extension |
| Proposed Parks | Smith Point, Point O'Woods, Quogue | Focus on shoreline protection |
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the proposal to reconstruct Fire Island?
The proposal was triggered by the destruction caused by the Long Island Express hurricane in 1938.
How did Robert Moses plan to stop beach erosion?
Moses proposed creating a wide sand fill and constructing a 30-foot wide two-lane parkway with concrete lanes and turf shoulders to act as a barrier.
What were bascule lift bridges in the context of this plan?
Bascule lift bridges were movable bridges proposed for the parkway spurs crossing the Great South Bay and Shinnecock Bay to allow for maritime traffic.
Why did Fire Island residents oppose the 1962 proposal?
Residents argued that the construction of the parkway would take too long and believed the island should instead invest in temporary protection solutions.
Which agencies were involved in funding the project?
Funding was intended to come from Suffolk County and a grant from the Public Works Administration.