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The state DOT and Suffolk County officials have crafted a plan to reopen the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays, it was just announced.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the bridge will reopen to limited traffic soon.
“The Ponquogue Bridge is critically important to emergency services, businesses, and local traffic, we needed to find a way to open the bridge as quickly as possible,” Romaine said. “Our county Department of Public Works has been working with the NYS Department of Transportation and a plan to immediately open the bridge has been designed.”
The new traffic pattern includes shifting the travel lanes eastward, he said. This will be accomplished with lightweight barriers, traffic control barrels and lane markings.
The temporary measures will be completed toward the end of next week, Romaine said.
“[Public Works] is proceeding to engage an engineer on an emergency basis to design a permanent repair to return this bridge to its 40-ton capacity,” he added. “In the interim, NYSDOT will continue regular inspections to monitor any areas of concern.”
According to the new DOT guidelines, vehicles up to five tons, bicycles and pedestrians will be able to use the bridge.
Special permits will be issued for ambulances up to 14,500 pounds.
“Public safety is paramount, and we need to ensure our first responders can serve their communities,” Romaine said.
Vehicles up to 20 tons can continue to use the Post Lane Bridge in Quogue, and those up to 40 tons can use the Beach Lane Bridge in Westhampton Beach, officials said.
The bridge was suddenly closed earlier this week after a routine inspection revealed degradation to one of its concrete supports.
Top: The northern entrance to the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays as it appeared today, Friday. (Credit: Nick Esposito)
