'Immediate Attention' Needed For Smith Point Bridge's 'Structural Deterioration': NY DOT Spokesman

SHIRLEY, NY — The routine inspection of the Smith Point Bridge by the state's Department of Transportation "revealed structural deterioration that required immediate attention," the agency's public information officer, Stephen Canzoneri, said in a statement to Patch Sunday night.

The bridge, which leads to Smith Point County Park on the barrier island, was placed on weight restriction for vehicles over 3 tons on Sunday.

Officials have closed the bridge at different points for big storms, such as Superstorm Sandy, and sometimes, in conjunction with the closure of the outer beach, which, though now closed for the season, is used for camping.

It was erected in the 1950s at the end of William Floyd Parkway, joining the south shore of Shirley with Fire Island National Seashore. It has previously been identified for repair and there are plans to replace it in the next few years.

Canzoneri directed further questions about the bridge to the county, which "is responsible for maintenance of the bridge."

The county's spokesman, Michael Martino, said officials installed a sign identifying the bridge with a maximum three-ton weight limit for trucks on Sunday morning, and noted it will be enforced "effective immediately and until further notice."

He could not specify the "deterioration" mentioned by the state.

Inspections of the bridge take place yearly, and were not prompted by the high wind blowing through the region over the weekend, he said.

The county has not been given a timeframe by which to address the structural deterioration, according to Martino.

The Department of Public Works is "coordinating closely with the state to conduct a more in-depth analysis and determine all available options to safely raise the load rating," Martino said.

He did not have the results of the analysis.

Patch has reached out to the state regarding the results of the analysis.

"This temporary restriction comes as the county continues its ongoing plans for the construction of a new bridge to ensure long-term safety and reliability for residents and visitors," he said.

The new bridge is expected to have a multi-purpose, handicap-accessible path, which can be used by pedestrians, as well as bikers.

There will be a 55-foot vertical clearance, an overlook, and will include new recreational courts and bathrooms for the park.

The final design was out to bid and is expected back next month, and once the bids are received, they will be reviewed and awarded, according to the office of Legis. Jim Mazzarella, whose district includes the park.

Mazzarella was not immediately available for comment.

Three other bridges in Suffolk were previously cited for structural issues in the last year, News 12 reported.

It is unclear if any other bridges were inspected over the weekend.

Visitors on Sunday to the popular oceanfront beach were told to check their registrations for the weight of their vehicles, and if they were over, they would not be able to traverse the bridge.

The weight restriction came at a time when visitors, including beachcombers and board-walkers, as well as fishermen and surfers, can be normally seen driving by or parking briefly to check the water's conditions. The park, like other open areas around the county, was also expected to draw stargazers set on seeing the expected meteor shower Sunday night.

Instead, some visitors had to turn around, park, and walk over the bridge to access the popular spot.

At what is usually a peak time for traffic, the beach's parking lot was nearly empty with only two cars Sunday afternoon.