The Smith Point Bridge is the only roadway that connects Mastic Beach – and the mainland – to Smith Point on Fire Island. Last Sunday, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) issued a statement that a routine inspection by the New York Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated a three-ton weight limit to the bridge.
On Saturday, Romaine issued another statement that the County has implemented a one-lane traffic setup to maintain safe and reliable access to the most-visited County Park, while remaining mindful of structural concerns that have prompted quick repair work ahead of a new bridge’s construction set to begin next year.
On Monday, Romaine, joined by County officials from the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES), showcased the temporary traffic lights set up on the northbound and soundbound lanes of the bridge. Romaine said that the County petitioned the State to impose a fifteen-ton weight limit, as the three-ton limit was the “most basic” limit that would have prevented emergency vehicles from using the bridge.
Romaine also said that he had recently looked at a press release left behind by his predecessor, former County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon), which stated his administration’s intent to construct a new bridge to Smith Point in 2021 to be completed by 2024.
“That never happened,” Romaine told reporters on Monday afternoon at the approach of the bridge from William Floyd Parkway. “There’s a lesson to us in that: we, as a County, cannot defer maintenance on our vital things. Maintenance deferred does not save us money. This should have been addressed years ago.”
Romaine signed an emergency order – which must be renewed every five days – that will allow the County DPW to speed up repairs to the bridge without awaiting contract bids.
“We will move expeditiously with double shifts to make improvements so that this bridge is safe for all travel,” said Romaine. “Any restrictions will be gradually lifted when we consult with [NYS] DOT and [Suffolk] DPW.”
Romaine said that the plan is for the construction to be completed by March to accommodate the start of camping in mid-spring, and especially before the busy summer season.
“This is the most heavily-utilized park in all of Suffolk County, hence the reason for the seriousness of the actions that have been taken over the last few days,” said Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches). “DPW took immediate action to make sure the public was safe, and the DOT immediately created an action plan.”
Mazzarella thanked the DOT for their responsiveness in lifting the three-ton weight limit, which would have crippled delivery services, in addition to emergency services, from reaching the park.
“As this season comes, we may have to have a few delays, and you might have to time your trip out a little bit, but everyone will be safe, and that is by far the most important thing,” said Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue). “This bridge will be totally usable within a matter of a few months. We will be restoring steel cables, among other things, to strengthen this bridge.”
Murray also said that the planning phase for the new bridge will also begin in earnest. The new bridge will not be a drawbridge like its current counterpart and will be more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.
“This is the busiest park of any County Park in Suffolk,” said Romaine, adding that the County will be looking at other “key” pieces of infrastructure that “haven’t been addressed in many years.”
As of press time, there is no projected cost for these upgrades, but Romaine said that safety is the County’s “primary concern”, with cost being “secondary.”
“What are we going to do, not have a bridge?” said Romaine. “This bridge was built in 1959, and before that, the only way to get here was by ferry or boat. We’re not going back.”
Parks Commissioner John Giannott said that the current season doesn’t bring many motorists over the bridge.
“But on a busy July weekend, you can see 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles,” said Giannott. “During the week, 1,000.”
Leslie Mitchel, Deputy Commissioner for the County DPW, said that the one-lane traffic pattern allowed the restored weight limit to fifteen tons, after consultation with the State DOT. She added that the traffic lights were installed by DOT as well.
DPW Chief Engineer Alex Berger said that the County is exploring “retrofitting options” for a two-lane reopening.
“Essentially, the pre-stressed cables inside the reinforced concrete beams have been exposed, are wearing, and are no longer holding the strength that were originally designed to hold back in the 1950s,” said Berger of the specific structural problems.
Romaine added that the drawbridge function is currently operable, but that additionally funding from New York State and the federal government do not appear to be “forthcoming.”
“We are prepared to fund this in-house out of the budget right now,” said Romaine. “If money is available [to us] from the State or federal government, we’d be delighted.”
