Kevin Vesey

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Apr 17, 2026, 5:45 PM

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Updated

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With the start of the summer beach season just over a month away, Suffolk County is racing to repair and reinforce an aging South Shore bridge that thousands of residents rely on each year.

On Friday, crews were seen working beneath the Smith Point Bridge, performing emergency repairs prompted by structural deterioration discovered during an inspection last year. The bridge currently operates with only one open lane with alternating traffic. County officials say they hope to restore two‑lane traffic by Memorial Day.

“The summer traffic is going to be affected by that. Thousands of people,” said Moriches resident Gunter Glinka, who frequently uses the bridge.

Many residents say the work is long overdue.

“It’s kind of scary because there is work that needs to be done and it’s kind of overdue,” said Mary Taylor, of Coram.

The Smith Point Bridge isn’t the only structure under scrutiny. Engineers were also inspecting the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays, which was temporarily shut down last year due to structural concerns and now carries a five‑ton weight limit. That bridge is scheduled for a rehabilitation project this summer.

Meanwhile, the Fire Island Inlet Bridge to Robert Moses State Park is slated for repairs next year after a hole was discovered in its roadway.

In addition to emergency fixes, Suffolk County is preparing to break ground on a brand‑new Smith Point Bridge. The replacement bridge—expected to cost more than $100 million—will be built alongside the existing structure. Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks, with completion targeted for 2029. The current bridge will remain open throughout the project.

For many who cross the span regularly, the replacement can’t come soon enough.

“Long overdue. Needed to be done a long time ago,” said Pete McCann of Coram. “They’re taking care of it. Better late than never.”