HAUPPAUGE, NY—Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today announced precautionary measures are being implemented, which will allow the Ponquogue Bridge to be opened to limited traffic the week of March 3, 2025.

“The Ponquogue Bridge is critically important to emergency services, businesses, and local traffic, we needed to find a way to open the bridge as quickly as possible,” said Romaine. “Our county Department of Public Works has been working with the NYS Department of Transportation and a plan to immediately open the bridge has been designed.”

The new traffic pattern includes shifting the travel lanes eastward. This will be accomplished with lightweight barriers, traffic control barrels, and lane markings. These temporary measures will be completed in the week of March 3.

“The SCDPW is proceeding to engage an engineer on an emergency basis to design a permanent repair to return this bridge to its 40-ton capacity,” said Romaine. “In the interim, NYSDOT will continue regular inspections to monitor any areas of concern.”

Under the guidelines set forth by the DOT, vehicles up to five tons, bicycles and pedestrians will be able to use the bridge. Special permits will be issued to ambulances up to 14,500 lbs.

“Public safety is paramount, and we need to ensure our first responders can serve their communities,” said Romaine.

Vehicles up to 20 tons can continue to use the Post Lane Bridge in Quogue and up to 40 tons can use the Beach Lane Bridge in Westhampton Beach.

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