Southold to borrow $800K for new Bay Avenue bridge
The Southold Town Board voted to replace the century-old Bay Avenue Bridge in East Marion this week, approving a measure to borrow a maximum of $800,000 to complete the project.
The condition of the bridge, which was built in the early 1900s, has been in a decline due to normal wear and tear, compounded by stresses from Hurricane Sandy, town engineer Jamie Richter said.
Even with the storm damage, the project is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement, he said.
A 2011 inspection by the state Department of Transportation also revealed problems with a revetment around a water main in the bridge’s roadway.
“The bridge has deteriorated beyond its lifespan,” he said. “We don’t want to put it off any longer. We need to replace it before something does happen” and someone gets hurt.
Mr. Richter said the town is currently waiting on a permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which he hopes to be receiving within the week so the project can be put up for bid.
He anticipates construction would begin sometime this fall.
