They usually have multiple warning gates on lift span bridges. This report sounds deficient.
there was an accident on the bridge dec. 23rd and all bridge warning devices were disabled by the accident and on the 25th, there was a very-heavy fog and raining that limited visibility considerably. It's too bad the bridge operators and the police dispatcher weren't connected and on the same frequency or were not using the telephone. It's amazing in 2005 communications are still limited in the public safety arena.
The police and fire in NJ also have the same problem with NJ Transit railroads. If there is an accident on the tracks rescue workers still run the risk of getting run over by a train!