$3M Bryan's Bridge Work Due to be Completed by Year's End

The $3 million dollar structural repair of Bryan’s Bridge on Middle Road in Bayport won’t be finished until the end of 2014, according to county officials.

The work begun in August, 2013 on the 500-foot bridge, which is over 75 years old, not only includes structure and paving repair, but groundwater treatment and draining.

The project, according to Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay’s office, was necessary as the bridge has a limited capacity of 20 tons and was requiring repairs at a higher frequency. There is also a stretch of Middle Road, from Seaman Avenue in Bayport to Foster Avenue in Sayville, that is having groundwater treatment work as well.

“An inspection performed by LKB Engineering to evaluate the bridge detailed that the structure should be replaced based on a life cycle cost analysis,” he explained in an email to Patch on Tuesday.

Currently, the north side of the bridge is closed and being worked on. A temporary multi-directional traffic signal was installed to allow vehicles to alternate travel direction for both east-and west- bound travelers at the site.

Lindsay noted that the north side repair work must be completed before work begins on the south side segment.

“Due to the overwhelming amount of repairs over the years and the age of the bridge, it is important that we rebuild the bridge now. By waiting any longer we may risk the safety of our residents. Also by rebuilding now, we are saving money that would otherwise be spent on ongoing repairs in the future,” he stated in the email.

The target completion date may be impacted by weather conditions, noted Lindsay, but so far the project is on the expected timeline.

“Obviously some projects can take longer than originally estimated. It is anticipated the entire project will be done by the end of 2014. Extreme weather conditions and recent storms have slowed the progress of the project, but they are picking up speed as the temperature rises,” he wrote.

Lindsay encourages resident to reach out to his office with any questions or issues relating to the project.

“We will be keeping in constant contact with our Department of Public Works to see that the project is moving forward and that the bridge will be completed as soon as possible,” he said.