New 80,000-Pound Bridge to Replace 1895 Timber Span in Amagansett

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority began preparations this week to replace the defunct Cranberry Hole Road bridge in Amagansett. The 1895 timber structure, which has been closed to all traffic since July 2023, is scheduled for demolition during this winter. East Hampton Town Councilman David Lys indicated that the removal could occur as early as December.

The project is estimated to cost between $20 million and $25 million. Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni provided this cost range to the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee last year. The Long Island Rail Road awarded a contract for the replacement of this bridge, as well as structures at Sagg Road in Sagaponack and River Avenue in Eastport, earlier this year.

Contractors from Asplundh have begun trimming tree limbs near electrical wires on the span. The MTA stated that primary work will occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The agency may schedule overnight or weekend construction if necessary, though it pledged to notify the town in such cases. A letter will be sent to nearby property owners when work commences.

Stephen Lynch, the town’s highway superintendent, cited vehicle weight violations as a primary cause of the bridge’s decline. The span was rated for five tons, or 10,000 pounds. Lynch noted that cement trucks, dump trucks, and a modular home crossed the bridge in the last two years, ignoring the restrictions. He observed long cracks in the asphalt that matched the width of the wooden planks beneath.

Once the current 131-foot span is removed, new abutments will be constructed next summer. A concrete span capable of holding 80,000 pounds will then be placed on top by crane next fall. This new structure will meet New York State Department of Transportation standards. The roadway will be widened from approximately 21 feet to 32 feet, incorporating space for pedestrians and Americans with Disabilities Act access.

The project includes milling, paving, and curb work on the approaches, along with the installation of a new drainage system and leaching basins. The MTA anticipates the new bridge will open to traffic in March 2028, though it cautioned that the schedule is subject to change. Motorists are currently advised to use Abram’s Landing Road as the designated detour.

Lys highlighted the infrastructure benefits of the update, noting that two tracks will run underneath the new span. The MTA has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to add sidings to the Montauk line. Lys stated that this additional track space will allow for more train operations. He also noted the improvement in emergency response times for the area.

The existing bridge features 130-year-old timbers that are approximately one foot square and treated with creosote. Beneath the span, workers found invasive plant species, discarded items, and debris. Lys observed that the current structure has served its purpose and is ready for an upgrade. The men noted that a commuter train, carrying several hundred passengers daily, passes over the tracks shortly after their inspection.