Romaine To Sign Executive Order To Address Smith Point Bridge Repairs

SHIRLEY, NY — Suffolk officials are set to hold a news conference Monday at the Smith Point Bridge to discuss updates and an executive order to address repairs, County Executive Ed Romaine's office said.

On Saturday, he announced the implementation of a one-lane traffic operation on the bridge.

Visitors who travel over the bridge can now only access both lanes on the north-bound side, but close to the drawbridge, a portion of the eastbound lane has been cordoned off with safety cones, and restricted to one-lane travel on the westbound side.

The drawbridge area has not been restricted to traffic.

Each side of the bridge, which joins the bay side of the South Shore of the Mastic-Shirley Peninsula to the barrier island, has portable directional signals for traffic control, and it can be a bit of a wait as visitors make their way over.

In his statement, which was released Saturday, Romaine, said the measure is "part of our ongoing efforts to maintain safe and reliable access for motorists."

"This temporary measure will allow us to preserve the existing bridge structure while we work toward increasing the posted load limit," he said.

"We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we continue these critical efforts," he added.

Last weekend visitors to the popular park were greeted with a surprise to learn county officials had placed a 3-ton, or roughly 6,000 lbs, weight restriction on the bridge after the state found structural deterioration in need of immediate attention.

The state previously identified the bridge, which was erected in the 1950s, for repair several years ago, and plans have been in the works for at least five years.

Workmen could be seen surveying under the bridge last week, however, county officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Normally, the park is closed from dusk until dawn, unless there is music at the beach. The water is off-limits without lifeguards present.

Days after the weight restriction was placed, officials posted signage stating that the bridge and the park are closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

County spokesman Michael Martino said the bridge was closed "to prevent any beach trucks from ignoring the signage."

The bridge's previous weight limit was 15 tons as of July 2024.

A barge has been operating between Smith Point Marina on the bayside and the park since last year as part of the Sunrise Wind offshore wind project.

Martino said its purpose is to transport "over-heavy equipment."

"Remember the bridge was already red flagged at 15 tons," he said. "So sunrise had no choice but to set up the barge system."

A Sunrise Wind spokeswoman did not respond to comment.

Romaine, including Legis. James Mazzarella, whose district includes the park, and representatives from the Department of Public Works, as well as the parks department, and Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, are expected to attend the news conference.

It will begin at 11:30 a.m.

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

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," he said.

He did not have the results of the analysis.

Patch has reached out to the state regarding the results.

"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 Mazzarella.

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.