Replacing Barnum Island Bridge means hardship

“Part of the bridge is 70 years it needs to be replaced,” said Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford, speaking about the small span that connects Barnum Island with Oceanside over Barnum Channel. Ford held an informational meeting in Island Park on July 27. “We have the money to replace it now,” she added. “We need to go through this pain to get it done, if we don’t do it now we have to turn the money back in, its going to be difficult getting it again. Meanwhile the bridge will be getting older.”

According to Mary Studdert, spokeswoman for the Nassau County Department of Public Works, an inspection about six years ago identified structural issues with the bridge. The county instituted a reduced load requirement of 20 tons as a temporary measure.

“There are two separate bridges, northbound and southbound,” Studdert wrote in an email. “One bridge will be demolished and reconstructed at a time. Traffic will be moved to the other bridge, with two lanes in each direction restriped using the shoulder area.”

The project is expected to cost $9.6 million, with as much as $7.67 million to be reimbursed by the federal government.

“Although the project is scheduled to begin in September you probably won’t see actual construction until October,” Ford explained. “Grace Industries, winners of the bid for the work, will still have to have their paperwork in order. Then Verizon has to remove the phone lines, National Grid has to move the gas and PSEG has to move the electric. There is a lot going on under that bridge.”

Meanwhile the traffic will be moved from the south side of the bridge to the north side. The sidewalks that are there now will be leveled to use that area for vehicles, and use the center median as well. “It will be narrow,” Ford said of the temporary bride area that will still be in use, “Up to construction standards, but narrow.”

People need to know that once we start this project we can’t stop Ford said.

First they will remove the concrete pilings the bridge is on. Then they can start making repairs and a new bridge. It’s made in a factory, she said,

“Because the cement part will be done in a factory, we don’t have to worry about the cold weather,” Ford said, “They can be placed and connected even if it is cold. Even if it is snowing.”

The project should be completed in 18months. Grace Industries is the contractor.

Ford noted that updated traffic signals and signage would accompany the work so people are aware of the construction, and people who don’t need to come down Long Beach Road can find other routes.

Ford said the county executive, police commissioner and others are meeting to discuss how to handle ambulances from Long Beach. Ford said she would like a police officer at the bridge site to direct traffic in case of an emergency.

In addition while the work is ongoing some trucks will have to be redirected to comply with new weight limits. She noted some trucks come through with pre-fabricated houses for the area that may have to find another route.

Plans to work on the Loop Parkway Bridge at the same time as the Barnum Island Bridge construction have been put on hold.