'Weight restriction' remains in place on Smith Point Bridge; Suffolk official wants state to do more
The issues were discovered during a routine inspection of the bridge by the state.
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For at least the third time this year, a Suffolk County bridge is in need of immediate attention.
As of Sunday, cars and trucks weighing more than 6,000 pounds are banned from driving over the Smith Point Bridge.
Suffolk officials say state DOT inspectors found "structural deterioration" during an inspection.
This is similar to what inspectors found at other Suffolk bridges.
The Ponquogue Bridge and the Fire Island Inlet Bridge were both closed for a time because of infrastructure issues.
The Ponquogue Bridge was shut down, then reopened with a weight limit.
Michael Shenoda is the chair of the Civil Engineering Department at Farmingdale State College. He says it's time to repair or replace these bridges built decades ago that are now wearing away.
"The deterioration is a little bit more accelerated than originally anticipated, probably higher traffic loads, worse weather conditions," he said.
The bridge issues were not on the agenda of Monday's Suffolk Public Works, Transportation & Energy Committee meeting. Chairman Nick Caracappa says they will take it up when they get the full report.
Caracappa wants more inspections of all bridges.
"We have been asking New York State DOT to do these inspections more frequently," Caracappa said. "Anytime you're messing with steel, salt water, the combination, the concrete, things are going to happen."
A state DOT spokesperson says they "have one of the most rigorous inspection programs in the nation," requiring all highway bridges to be inspected at least every two years.
