Repairs coming to Ponquogue Bridge, but timeline remains unclear
Suffolk County Public Works Commissioner Charles Bartha spoke exclusively with News 12 about the upcoming work, confirming that while major repairs are necessary, a full closure of the bridge is not anticipated.
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Suffolk County officials are moving forward with plans to repair the Ponquogue Bridge, which briefly closed in February due to structural concerns. The bridge, which connects Hampton Bays to Dune Road, is still showing signs of deterioration — with cracked concrete girders and rusted steel rebar beneath the span.
Suffolk County Public Works Commissioner Charles Bartha spoke exclusively with News 12 about the upcoming work, confirming that while major repairs are necessary, a full closure of the bridge is not anticipated.
“We may have to alternate traffic,” Bartha said. “But I don’t anticipate [a full closure]. It will have to be done from the water because it’s underneath where the work has to be done.”
The bridge reopened in March with a newly imposed five-ton weight limit, raising concerns about traffic as the busy summer season approaches. County Executive Ed Romaine acknowledged the strain the restriction could place on local travel.
“I’m hoping that is not the case,” Romaine said. “That we can do some temporary repairs to allow greater traffic, because that’s a major road for Dune Road.”
Inspection reports dating back to October 2020 had flagged issues with the bridge. No firm timeline for permanent repairs has been set, and the cost of the work remains unknown.
Bartha noted that the county is working with one of the top engineering firms in the world to develop a comprehensive plan for the project.
Local residents are hopeful that the necessary fixes will be in place before tourism peaks.
“Hopefully things will be up and running by the summer,” said Hampton Bays resident Howard Drake. “We’ll see.”
