By CaraLynn Caulfield
The Town of Smithtown, in partnership with the Village of the Branch, has completed a long-anticipated pedestrian footbridge and walking trail connecting Mount Pleasant Road to the Village Center shopping plaza along Route 111.
Town and Village officials gathered on June 20 to celebrate the project’s completion, which restores a key community link while enhancing pedestrian safety, accessibility, and green space in the area.
“This project is a model of effective local government,” said Smithtown Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim. “Residents wanted this bridge restored, and we delivered not just a safer connection between neighborhoods and local businesses, but also a project that enhances stream restoration and protects open space.”
Led by the Smithtown Department of Highways under Superintendent Robert Murphy and Deputy Superintendent Jim Deutsch, the project transformed an abandoned section of Old Route 111 into a scenic and accessible trail. Village of the Branch Mayor Mark Delaney and his team played a key role in project coordination.
“This was a priority for our Village,” said Delaney. “The success of this project is due in no small part to the leadership and teamwork from the Town of Smithtown.”
The trail includes LED lighting for nighttime visibility, safety bollards to prevent unauthorized vehicle access, and new picnic areas. Security cameras are also expected to be installed in the near future.
The bridge also serves as a new trailhead for the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, a 30-mile path that stretches from Sunken Meadow State Park to Heckscher State Park. Earlier this year, the Highway Department also restored stream corridors in the area to improve water flow and reduce flooding risks.
The $231,000 project was funded through a state grant awarded to the Village of the Branch, which covered construction costs and site improvements.
By revitalizing a neglected corridor into a safe and scenic community asset, officials say the project highlights the value of strong local partnerships and long-term investment in public infrastructure.