Smith Point Repair Expedited In Wake Of Structural Deterioration Cited By DOT: Romaine

SHIRLEY, NY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine on Monday signed an executive order to expedite funding and repairs that are needed for the Smith Point Bridge, which was recently flagged by the state for having structural deterioration that needed immediate attention.

"Public safety is our top priority," Romaine wrote in a post to his Facebook page, explaining that the county is working in coordination with the state's Department of Transportation.

The bridge's weight limit was reduced to 3 tons, or around 6,000 lbs, almost two weeks ago after a routine inspection by the DOT identified the deterioration.

The bridge's weight limit has since been increased back to its original 15 tons, but with a one-way traffic pattern.

"We will continue to monitor the bridge’s current condition while expediting the process to start construction next year for the bridge replacement," Romaine added to his post.

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

The drawbridge area has not been restricted.

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.

The one-lane travel was introduced over the weekend.

New signage has been installed, illustrating the return to the 15-ton weight limit.

In a similar post to Facebook, Legis. Jim Mazzarella, whose district covers the bridge, said that the one-lane traffic pattern remains in effect "while critical repairs continue" and that the traffic signals are temporary and in place "to safely manage the flow of vehicles."

Contractors will be "mobilized immediately to address the deficiencies" identified by the DOT, "with the goal of restoring normal traffic patterns by spring," he said.

Construction of the new bridge has been accelerated, according to Mazzarella.

The project's bids are expected back by early December.

County officials will move quickly to award a contract and break ground, Mazzarella said.

"Thank you to everyone for your patience throughout this process," he said. "We have a passionate community that cares deeply about our oceanfront park, and I share your commitment to maintaining safe, reliable access to our beautiful beach."

"We are working diligently to ensure there are no further interruptions in access as these improvements move forward," he added.

It was weakened stress cables that prompted Suffolk officials to restrict access across the bridge, News12 reported.

"The stress cables that are inside the reinforced concrete beam, some of those have been exposed and are wearing and are no longer holding the strength that they were originally designed to be back in the 50s," Department of Public Works Chief Engineer Alexander Prego told the outlet.

Steel cables will be installed to reinforce the bridge, and work on the new bridge is expected to begin next year, News 12 reported.

The new bridge was supposed to be finished in 2024, but the work was delayed for environmental reasons related to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, as well as conflict over designs, Public Works Commissioner Charles Bartha previously told Newsday.

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

It is expected that there will be a 55-foot vertical clearance for the new bridge, an overlook, and will include new recreational courts and bathrooms for the park.

In a statement on Saturday, Romaine, said the measure was "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 added.

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