New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded a contract to complete the design and reconstruction of three aging bridges that carry vehicular traffic over Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks on the Long Island East End: Sagg Road Bridge in Sagaponack, Cranberry Hole Road Bridge in Amagansett, and River Avenue Bridge in Eastport.

“New York is making historic investments in Long Island’s infrastructure in ways big and small — from opening Grand Central Madison to delivering bridge upgrades that have been urgently needed for decades,” said Governor Hochul. “Credit to the MTA for stepping up and rebuilding these aging timber structures so that East End drivers will have modern, resilient bridges over LIRR tracks that will last for generations to come.”

Impact of Bridge Program

Each structure, built between 1895 and 1921, serves vehicular traffic over the LIRR’s Montauk Branch.

Because of structural deficiencies, two of the bridges — River Avenue and Cranberry Hole Road Bridge — are currently closed. Construction of new, safe, and modern bridges is expected to begin in the coming months.

“Rebuilding these overhead structures will strengthen these communities’ local roadway network with access to a safe, reliable road and will allow the LIRR to continue providing great train service to and from Long Island’s East End,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free.

Bridge Work

The bridges are primarily timber-framed and have significantly deteriorated over time.

Despite maintenance and temporary repairs, their structural condition has been further compromised by large, overweight vehicles traveling across these bridges in violation of posted weight limits. As such, the Cranberry Hole Road and River Avenue Bridge have been closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic since July 2023 and early 2024, respectively. 

The new bridges will be designed to meet current roadway, structural, and railroad clearance requirements. Major work elements include demolition of the existing bridges, construction of new bridge structures and retaining walls, roadway reconstruction at bridge approaches, and drainage improvements.

Design completion is anticipated in January 2027, with demolition work beginning later this year, and the project is scheduled for completion by July 2028. The total project budget is $51 million.