Weight restriction imposed on bridge to Smith Point County Park

Note: Late Monday, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said in a Facebook post that the weight limit on the Smith Point Bridge has been restored to 15 tons although “with a one way traffic pattern.”

Trucks weighing more than three tons are banned from the Smith Point Bridge in Shirley until further notice after a routine inspection by the New York State Department of Transportation found “structural deterioration” of the bridge, county executive Ed Romaine said in a Facebook post.

“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,” Romaine said in the post.

Over the weekend, Romaine posted on Facebook that traffic on the bridge is being reduced to one lane.

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

County officials have also limited the hours at Smith Point County Park from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

“All visitors will need to leave the park by 7 p.m. daily,” the Suffolk County Parks Department said in a Facebook post. “This includes the outer beach and all fishermen.”

Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 on a new 1,812-foot suspension bridge to replace the existing drawbridge that was built in 1959. Construction of the new bridge, which will be built west of the existing bridge, is scheduled to be completed by June 2029.

Construction bids are due by Dec. 31, Suffolk County Legis. James Mazzarella said.

Mazzarella, whose district includes Smith Point Park, said the county is awaiting the results of a report from the State Department of Transportation. He said he expects the report will take about two to three weeks.

In the meantime, public safety officials are moving a firetruck by barge to position it on the pavilion side of the park. EMS will also be able to use an SUV to cross the bridge, if needed, and an ambulance will be positioned on the land side of the bridge, Mazzarella said.

Public safety is the “first and foremost” consideration, he said.

The new bridge will include a separate, protected lane for pedestrians and cyclists. There will be one lane in each direction, like the existing bridge, but the lanes will be wider. The plans also include construction of a recreation area at the park, near the parking area, Mazzarella said.

Once the new bridge is built, the existing bridge will be demolished, which will take about a year, he said.

The new bridge will cost about $120 million, Mazzarella said. Eighty percent will be paid for by the federal government with the state and county paying the remainder.