Amagansett rail bridge to cost up to $25 million as demolition nears

East Hampton Town officials confirmed this week that the Cranberry Hole Road bridge in Amagansett will be demolished this winter, likely in December. The 1895 timber structure, closed to traffic in July 2023, is being replaced as part of a project estimated to cost between $20 million and $25 million. The Long Island Rail Road awarded the contract earlier this year, grouping the work with replacements for bridges in Sagaponack and Eastport.

Town Councilman David Lys visited the site on Tuesday with highway superintendent Stephen Lynch to inspect the structure. The bridge, which spans 131 feet, has been declared structurally deficient. Contractors from Asplundh are currently trimming tree limbs near electrical wires to prepare the area. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the work, has pledged to notify nearby property owners via letter before construction begins. Work will occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with overnight or weekend shifts possible if needed.

Lys said the replacement is necessary to accommodate increased rail activity. The M.T.A. has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to add sidings to the Montauk line. Two tracks will eventually run beneath the new span. More track space will allow the railroad to operate additional trains, a change that Lys described as a design for the future. The new structure will also improve emergency response times for the community.

The current bridge has struggled to handle modern traffic volumes despite its closed status. Lynch noted that the span was rated for five tons, or 10,000 pounds. He said cement trucks, dump trucks, and even a modular home crossed the bridge in recent years, contributing to its deterioration. The asphalt covering the wooden planks shows long cracks that match the width of the timber below. Motorists are currently detoured via Abram’s Landing Road.

Construction plans call for the removal of the 130-year-old timbers and the construction of new abutments next summer. In the fall, a crane will install a concrete span capable of holding 80,000 pounds. This new structure meets current New York State Department of Transportation standards. The roadway will expand from its current 21-foot width to 32 feet, creating space for pedestrians and meeting Americans with Disabilities Act access requirements. The project also includes milling, paving, curb installation, and a new drainage system with leaching basins.

The M.T.A. anticipates the new bridge will open to traffic in March 2028, though the agency cautioned that the schedule is subject to change. Lys and Lynch observed the work from the embankment as a commuter train passed nearby. The agency has advised drivers to continue using the designated detour until the new span is complete.