The bad news that Smith Point Bridge was in rough enough shape to put severe restrictions on its use came down this week.
County Executive Ed Romaine said in a statement, “Following a routine inspection conducted by the NYSDOT that revealed structural deterioration, Suffolk County will restrict Smith Point Bridge to a maximum three-ton weight limit (approx. 6,600 pounds) for trucks effective immediately and until further notice.
That weight limit will affect many pick-up trucks, SUVs, and campers. With camping and beach going popular activities, if something isn’t worked out an entire season or two of outdoor recreational activities may be lost for many people.
Safety comes first and in that equation is how to get emergency first responder equipment such as fire trucks (50-80,000 pounds) and ambulances (10-15,000 pounds) over the bridge. Having access for emergency vehicles has to be figured out now and cannot weight until a fire starts or an emergency happens.
Bill Biondi, Commissioner of the Mastic Beach Fire Department, said, “We're going to try to get a mini pumper over as soon as we have permission and store it in the pavilion. We would only be allowed to use the bridge’s southbound lane.”
If the load rating is not increased, or emergency equipment can’t use the bridge at all, that’s where Sunrise Wind may come in to the picture. The size and weight of the equipment Sunrise uses was already too much for the bridge.
Biondi said, “Sunrise runs a barge system back and forth from the mainland for their project. We may end up needing some help and using their barge to get a truck over.”
The County is coordinating closely with the State Department of Transportation to conduct a more in-depth analysis and determine all available options to safely raise the load rating.