By Hank Russell
Weight restrictions have been put in place on another bridge in Suffolk County after state officials found structural defects.
The Smith Point Bridge in Shirley was found to have “structural deterioration,” according to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romiane. As a result, a three-ton weight limit has been imposed for vehicles using the bridge.
This is the fourth bridge in Suffolk County that underwent maintenance. As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, bridge joints and bearings were replaced on the aging Great Neck Road and Robert Moses Bridges in the town of Babylon, and the Ponquogue Bridge in Southampton Town was shut down because of structural conditions, resulting in using either the Post Lane Bridge in Quogue and the Beach Lane Bridge in Westhampton Beach as alternative routes.
LILP reached out to the New York State Department of Transportation. “NYSDOT’s inspection reports are presented to the bridge owner, who has responsibility for maintenance and taking any necessary corrective action,” said spokesperson Stephen Canzoneri, adding that the county is the bridge’s owner and “further questions should be directed to Suffolk County.”
“The Department of Public Works is coordinating closely with the New York State Department of Transportation to conduct a more in-depth analysis and determine all available options to safely raise the load rating,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
‘This temporary restriction comes as Suffolk County continues its ongoing planning forthe construction of a new bridge to ensure long-term safety and reliability for residents and visitors.”