Oct 06 2026

Mystery Friday Foto #40 Solved: The Plainview Road Bridge Under Construction


Did you identify the Plainview Road Bridge being constructed in the photo?

Identify;

  • The location and orientation of the photographer

Central Park (Now Bethpage) looking North East.

  • What is being constructed at the end of the curve?

Forms are being put in place for the pouring of concrete abutments of the Motor Parkway Bridge over the relocated Plainview Road.

  • What is the purpose of the small structure in the foreground at the lower right?

Since water was not readily available, the parkway contractors dug wells every mile or so along the construction zone. On the right is a typical well setting with a pump station and elevated water storage tank.

  • Any other notable structural features?

Just before the construction, a culvert can be seen to assist in drainage.

  • What is the approximate date?

July/August 1908

Comments (3)

Congrats to Joseph Oesterle and David Miller for identifying the Plainview Rd. Bridge.

Greg O. 

Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #48: Plainview Road Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage)


1928 Aerial

The Plainview Rd. Bridge circled in red.


Construction

A few weeks prior to the mystery photo, June 6, 1908.


October 10, 1908

The completed bridge can be seen in this photo taken from atop the Powell Avenue Bridge on the opening day of the Motor Parkway.


1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race- October 24, 1908

This rare photo shows the winning Locomobile #16 driving by George Robertson overtaking the #12 Thomas driven by George Saltzman.


1935 Aerial

The bridge can be seen on the top right.By 1950, the bridge had been taken down.


Then and Now

The red circle denotes where the bridge would be today. The Northern direction of Route 135 is directly on top of where the bridge used to stand.

As always, this Google map overlay will always show where various structures are in relation to the modern topography.

Comments

Oct 01 2026 Joseph Oesterle 2:20 PM

Plainview Rd Bridge.  The area towards the back of this photo sort likes the same today.  Sort of. This is the summer of 1908.  I wonder if that culvert tunnel is buried under Rt 135?

Oct 04 2026 David Miller 2:29 PM

The photographer is looking NorthEast.  This is about the end of June or July of 1908.  In the distance the overpass for the newly relocated Plainview rd is being built.  In the foreground is a well and water storage tank.

Oct 04 2026 Steve Lucas 3:28 PM

I’m not overly confident this week but it looks like same area as last week’s photo with the construction of the Botto farmway bridge, looking north or slightly northeast in Central Park (Bethpage). With the water tower nearby, I think the structure was an on-site concrete making facility. The only other structure is a culvert under the LIMP to alleviate flooding in the area. The date should be 1908.

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