Atlantic Beach Junk Removal

Robert Moses played a significant role in shaping Atlantic Beach’s development, primarily through his infrastructure projects and vision for Long Island’s coastal areas.

Bridge Construction

Moses was instrumental in the construction of the Atlantic Beach Bridge, which greatly improved access to the area:

• The original bridge opened in 1927, reducing travel time to Atlantic Beach by 30 minutes.
• As populations grew, Moses urged officials to construct a new span in the 1940s.
• The current Atlantic Beach Bridge, designed by Hardesty & Hanover, opened in 1952 at a cost of $9.5 million.
• The new bridge is 1,173 feet long with a 33-foot vertical clearance, significantly improving capacity and accessibility.

Parkway System and Beach Access

Moses’s influence extended beyond the bridge itself:

• As Long Island State Park Commissioner, Moses oversaw the construction of Jones Beach State Park and was the primary architect of the New York State Parkway System.
• He focused on providing access to parks and beaches for the rising middle class, particularly those with automobiles.
• Moses’s parkways, including the Southern State Parkway, were designed to provide access to Long Island’s beaches from New York City.

Controversial Design Choices

Some of Moses’s design decisions have been criticized for their exclusionary effects:

• There are claims that Moses intentionally built low bridges on parkways leading to beaches to prevent public buses from accessing them, potentially limiting access for lower-income residents.
• His focus on automobile-centric design may have inadvertently shaped the demographic makeup of beachfront communities like Atlantic Beach.

While not specifically mentioned in relation to Atlantic Beach, Moses’s overall approach to urban planning and infrastructure development likely influenced the area’s growth and accessibility, contributing to its development as an upscale residential community with private beaches.