Smith Point County Park closing at 7 p.m. amid bridge weight limits, replacement work
New weight limits on the existing Smith Point Bridge and the upcoming construction of a new bridge has led Suffoik County officials to close Smith Point County Park at 7 p.m. daily. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
Upcoming construction on a new bridge to Smith Point County Park and weight restrictions placed on the existing decades-old span have prompted Suffolk officials to shut down the oceanfront Shirley park after 7 p.m.
The Smith Point Bridge, built in 1959, was found to have "structural deterioration" after a state inspection, Suffolk County officials announced Sunday.
The park now will close at 7 p.m. daily, county spokesman Michael Martino said Tuesday in an email. Martino did not respond to questions about the previous closing time or if there was one.
Closing the park at night "is due to the situation with the bridge," Martino said. He did not elaborate.
A Facebook post from the county Parks Department said the new closing time took effect immediately.
"The park will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. 7 days a week until further notice," the post states. "All visitors will need to leave the park by 7 p.m. daily, this includes the outer beach and all fishermen."
Other than sailing, the bridge is the only way to get to the park, which includes beaches, camping areas and the TWA Flight 800 memorial.
County officials Sunday announced they were imposing a 3-ton truck weight limit on the 66-year-old bridge. The typical passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds, or 2 tons.
An Oct. 27, 2024, inspection report by the New York State Department of Transportation rated the bridge as "poor."
Suffolk officials in 2023 announced plans for a $112 million bridge replacing the current drawbridge with a higher, fixed-span design to allow easier passage for boats on Narrows Bay.
The 1,800-foot-long bridge, which will include a fishing pier and bicycle paths, is set to be built just west of the current one. Construction is scheduled to start next year and take up to three years.
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
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