Governor Hochul Announces $51 Million Project to Replace Three East End LIRR Bridges

The MTA awards a critical infrastructure contract to completely rebuild century-old timber bridges over the Montauk Branch tracks, restoring safety and local travel.

For motorists and commuters on Long Island’s East End, the daily commute has long been hindered by deteriorating, century-old infrastructure. In a decisive move to address these safety hazards, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has officially awarded a contract to completely replace East End LIRR bridges at three critical locations. The $51 million regional transit initiative targets aging structures that carry vehicular traffic directly over the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Montauk Branch tracks. With two of the three overpasses completely shut down due to severe structural failures, this infrastructure project represents a vital lifeline for local emergency services, school districts, and daily commuters who have been forced onto lengthy detours for months.

The multi-million-dollar modern infrastructure effort will rebuild the Sagg Road Bridge in Sagaponack, the Cranberry Hole Road Bridge in Amagansett, and the River Avenue Bridge in Eastport. These structures, built between 1895 and 1921, have vastly outlived their intended engineering lifespans. By investing state capital into these specific crossings, the state aims to restore seamless local roadway connectivity while reinforcing the safety of the active rail lines running beneath them.

The Cost of Neglect: Why Immediate Action is Critical

The three overhead bridges are primarily composed of timber construction. Decades of exposure to the elements, combined with a modern influx of heavy, overweight commercial vehicles traveling against posted weight restrictions, have severely compromised their structural integrity.

Current Status of the Crossings

The severe deterioration forced transportation officials to take drastic measures to preserve public safety over the last few years:

• Cranberry Hole Road Bridge (Amagansett): Closed entirely to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic since July 2023.

• River Avenue Bridge (Eastport): Closed completely to the public since early 2024.

• Sagg Road Bridge (Sagaponack): Remains open but faces strict weight constraints and ongoing monitoring due to advanced age.

The closures have disrupted local traffic patterns and complicated emergency response routes across Suffolk County. Local leaders have repeatedly noted that relying on temporary, band-aid repairs on timber supports from the early 20th century is no longer a viable strategy for a region dealing with modern traffic demands.

Breaking Down the $51 Million Reconstruction Plan

The newly awarded contract outlines a comprehensive modernization plan that moves past temporary maintenance. The engineering strategy requires complete demolition and a total rebuild from the ground up to ensure compliance with modern structural safety standards.

Project Timeline & Milestones:
├── Late 2026: Demolition Work Begins on Existing Timber Bridges
├── January 2027: Final Engineering and Design Completion
└── July 2028: Full Construction Completion and Reopening

Major components of the $51 million capital project include the total demolition of the existing timber frameworks, the installation of resilient new bridge structures, and the erection of modern retaining walls. Furthermore, crews will completely reconstruct the roadway approaches leading up to the bridges and implement advanced drainage improvements to mitigate water damage and long-term erosion.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber emphasized that while these overpasses carry automobiles rather than trains, their physical condition directly impacts rail operations. “Replacing aging infrastructure is the centerpiece of the MTA capital program,” Lieber stated. “And while these century-old bridges don’t carry LIRR trains, they do hang over our tracks. So, we’re doing a full rebuild to protect riders and East End service for decades to come.”

Regional Support and the Path Forward

The announcement has drawn strong, bipartisan praise from local and county officials who have spent months fielding complaints from frustrated residents and business owners. As a key tourism and agricultural hub, the East End relies heavily on a fluid transportation network, particularly during the peak summer seasons.

“Our bridges and roads are critical infrastructure, and they are in desperate need of attention. This funding will go a long way in addressing these bridges to keep the public safe and improve our road infrastructure,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.

Town of East Hampton Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez added that the residents of Amagansett understand exactly how disruptive the closure of the Cranberry Hole Road Bridge has been for ordinary families trying to get to work, transport children to school, or respond to emergencies.

Navigating the Challenges of Construction Detours

While the $51 million investment is widely welcomed, the impending demolition and construction phases will inevitably bring near-term challenges. Local business coalitions and regional commuter advocates have raised valid concerns regarding the potential traffic bottlenecks that could arise when active construction begins later this year.

Simultaneously managing construction zones at three distinct points on the East End could strain local detour routes, particularly if heavy construction overlaps with peak travel periods. To minimize this friction, the MTA and the LIRR have committed to maintaining close communication with local town supervisors to coordinate traffic management plans. Officials argue that the long-term benefit of a permanent, 100-year concrete-and-steel solution far outweighs the temporary frustration of a construction season.

Ultimately, rebuilding these bridges is about protecting both the drivers above and the rail passengers below. By addressing these weak links in the infrastructure chain, New York is taking an essential step toward securing a more dependable and resilient transit network for the next century.