Three years after the Cranberry Hole Road bridge in Amagansett was deemed structurally deficient and closed to all traffic, the Long Island Rail Road has awarded a contract for its replacement and the reconstruction of two other aging bridges on the East End.
Construction is anticipated to begin at the end of this year or in early 2027, according to an announcement issued by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni on June 26.
East Hampton Town and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority both pointed to the other as the party responsible for the repair of the bridge, which is at the western end of the road. Ultimately, it was determined that responsibility is with the M.T.A.
While there was a restriction limiting vehicles crossing the 1895 bridge to 10,000 pounds, it was often ignored, contributing to its deterioration.
One year ago, Mr. Schiavoni told members of the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee that the M.T.A.’s five-year capital plan, part of the state budget, had been finalized and included the repair. “Your bridge is now at the top of the list,” he told the gathering, “but the pace is glacial.”
Last week’s announcement moves the timetable forward. In April, an M.T.A. media liaison told The Star that a contractor would be chosen by September, with work expected to begin in March 2027.
The existing bridge is to be demolished, and the project is to include the complete replacement of the substructure and superstructure and the installation of retaining walls, the media liaison told The Star in April. Milling, paving, curb, and sidewalk work on roadway approaches and the installation of a new drainage system and leaching basins are also part of the project.
The work is expected to cost between $20 million and $25 million, Mr. Schiavoni told the citizens committee last year. “This is a priority for me,” he told The Star in April, “and my predecessor as well,” a reference to Fred W. Thiele Jr., who retired at the end of 2024.
Also to be replaced are the bridges at Sagg Road in Sagaponack and River Avenue in Eastport.
“These bridge replacements are critical to maintaining a safe and reliable transportation network for residents, commuters, and visitors across the East End,” Mr. Schiavoni said in the June 26 announcement. “I am pleased to see the L.I.R.R. moving this project forward. Investing in these improvements today helps ensure the long-term safety, efficiency, and resiliency of our transportation system for years to come.”
The assemblyman remains committed to advocating for increased train service, the statement adds.
