Cranberry Hole Road bridge demolition targeted for December as replacement project costs $25M

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing to remove the 131-year-old Cranberry Hole Road bridge in Amagansett, a project estimated to cost between $20 million and $25 million. The 1895 timber structure, closed to traffic in July 2023 after being declared structurally deficient, will be demolished this winter, with December currently the leading target month.

The bridge served the community for more than a century before failing under the weight of modern traffic. East Hampton Town highway superintendent Stephen Lynch noted that the span was rated for five tons, or 10,000 pounds, but was frequently overloaded. He cited cement trucks, dump trucks, and even a modular home that crossed the bridge two years ago. The asphalt surface developed long cracks that matched the width of the wooden planks beneath, signaling the end of its service life.

The replacement effort follows a contract awarded earlier this year by the Long Island Rail Road. The agreement covers the Cranberry Hole Road bridge along with spans at Sagg Road in Sagaponack and River Avenue in Eastport. Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni previously informed the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee that the total project cost would fall within the $20 million to $25 million range.

Construction is scheduled to take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with potential overnight or weekend work if necessary. The MTA has committed to notifying the town of any such scheduling changes and will send letters to nearby property owners when work begins. Motorists are advised to continue using Abram's Landing Road as the designated detour during the construction period.

Once the existing timbers are removed, new abutments will be constructed next summer. In the fall, a crane will install a new concrete span designed to hold 80,000 pounds and meet current New York State Department of Transportation standards. The roadway will be widened from its current 21 feet to 32 feet, creating space for pedestrians and ensuring ADA accessibility. The project also includes milling, paving, curb installation, sidewalk work, and the addition of a new drainage system and leaching basins.

Councilman David Lys emphasized the strategic importance of the update for the Montauk Line. He noted that the new design allows for two tracks underneath, accommodating the MTA's recent budget allocation for additional sidings. This infrastructure improvement will enable more frequent train service. The new bridge is anticipated to open to traffic in March 2028, although the MTA noted that the schedule remains subject to change.

The current bridge, built in 1895, features a web of 130-year-old timbers that are still sturdy despite their age. The structure has been covered in creosote for decades, giving the wood a black appearance. While the span has served its purpose for over a century, the town and transit authority are moving forward with the modernization to handle increased loads and support future rail expansion.