A key component of a Ponquogue Bridge has been damaged for at least four years, according to inspection reports dating back to 2020, obtained exclusively by News 12.

That malfunction has potentially exacerbated the damage that led to its closure.

The primary issue lies with the expansion joints, which play a vital role in preventing water from spilling from the roadway beneath the elevated bridge. As early as October 2020, inspection reports documented significant damage to the expansion joints. One of the water-resistant seals was torn, while another joint was missing material altogether.

Michael Shenoda, an associate professor of Civil Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College, says the failure to repair the joints back in 2020 might have contributed to the bridge's deteriorating condition. The damaged joints allowed rainwater and chemicals to seep onto the concrete support girders below, leading to cracked concrete and rusted steel. If the repairs had been carried out sooner, Shenoda suggests that the damage would not have been as extensive.

“The bridge is not in critical condition where it’s going to fail as a result of that,” Shenoda explained. “It’s just now the maintenance cost is more expensive than it would have been if this issue was addressed earlier.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, who took office in 2024, expressed his commitment to addressing the issue, while also pointing the finger at the previous administration.

“It’s going to cost millions. It didn’t have to cost this much had it been addressed back in 2020. But this is now five years later,” Romaine said. “We are going to address it. We are going to deal with it.”

The bridge was temporarily closed in February. It’s currently open with a five-ton weight limit, but there is no clear timeline for the long-term repairs. Suffolk County is ultimately responsible for maintaining the bridge, though inspections were carried out by the New York State Department of Transportation. A spokesperson for the DOT emphasized that it is up to the county to carry out necessary repairs.

News 12 reached out to former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for comment, but was unable to contact him.