Update Feb. 28:
Southampton Town reported on its Facebook page Feb. 28 that the Suffolk County Department of Public Works expects to reopen the bridge to limited traffic, potentially “by next week.”
“Limited traffic would include vehicles up to 5 tons, bicycles, and pedestrians,” according to the town, which said the county also plans “to allow ambulances to utilize the bridge under special permits. In order to accomplish this, the County has indicated that there will be lane shifts, barriers, traffic control barrels and temporary lane markings installed. They hope to accomplish this by next week.”
Vehicles up to 20 tons can continue to use the Post Lane Bridge and Jessup Lane Bridge in Quogue and Westhampton, and vehicles up to 40 tons may utilize the Beach Lane Bridge, according to the town.
“The County has indicated that they will be continuing to monitor the Ponquogue Bridge with regular inspections by NYSDOT while they work on an emergency basis to try to restore the Ponquogue Bridge to its 40-ton capacity,” according to the town. “Residents and visitors continue to be encouraged to be mindful of changing traffic patterns associated with this activity.”
Original Story Follows:
Southampton Town announced Friday afternoon, Feb. 21 that the Ponquogue Bridge, connecting the mainland in Hampton Bays to Dune Road adjacent to the Hampton Bays Coast Guard Station, will be “closed until further notice to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in both directions.”
The iconic concrete bridge spanning Shinnecock Bay was build in 1986 and is maintained by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, which advised the town of the closure.
“The town was informed that, while New York State Department of Transportation was conducting a routine inspection of the bridge on February 20, 2025, conditions were identified that have since resulted in the closing of the bridge,” according to the town’s announcement. “County and State engineers continue to analyze the data in an effort to determine what additional action may be necessary.”
“Until such time as the Ponquogue Bridge reopens residents and visitors are asked to pursue alternate means of accessing Dune Road. Residents and visitors are also urged to be mindful of the potential traffic impacts to other bridges and roadways that might provide access,” the town added.
The town urged residents and visitors to sign up to receive notifications at https://www.southamptontownny.gov/2070/Town-of-Southampton-Emergency-Alerts.
“As the Town becomes aware of additional information or a projected timeline for the reopening of the bridge, we will share that information,” they said.
