Long Beach Bridge

Long Beach Bridge spans Reynolds Channel with twin steel structures that are approximately 820 feet long and 36 feet wide. The roadway accommodates six traffic lanes, with three in each direction, creating a major crossing route between Nassau County communities.

The current structure replaced an older bridge from 1922, opening in two phases beginning in May 1955. The second phase was completed in July 1956, establishing this route as a modern connection across Reynolds Channel.

The bridge has officially carried the name Michael Valente Memorial Bridge since 2011, honoring a World War I veteran from Long Beach. This name reflects the community's connection to local history and service.

The bridge operates with a toll system that accepts E-ZPass and cash payments for passage. Note that this is a drawbridge that lifts to allow boats to pass through Reynolds Channel when needed.

The bridge maintains a 30-foot clearance beneath its spans, which is just enough to allow smaller and mid-sized vessels to pass through. This height is regularly tested during scheduled and emergency lifts when boats need to navigate Reynolds Channel.

Location: Nassau County

Inception: August 13, 1953

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 40.59580,-73.65670

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:22