Old Ponquogue Bridge
Old Ponquogue Bridge was constructed as a draw bridge in 1930. The bridge fell into disrepair overtime, and as more vehicles and heavier vehicles traveled over the bridge, the County chose to replace it in 1986 with a reinforced concrete bridge with more vertical clearance to allow boat traffic to continue without interruption of the vehicular travel. The County removed the draw bridge section from the old bridge and gave the remaining north and south sections of the timber bridge piers to the Town in 1988 to develop them and the surrounding land area into fishing piers, a boat launch and diving pier. The timber bridge piers were damaged by Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, causing loss of sections, and damage to the remaining platforms. The Town began working with FEMA, Trustees and the Community immediately following Hurricane Sandy to develop a plan to repair/renovate the timber bridge piers. FEMA has committed to funding this repair/renovate the piers as planned. The Town will be substantially removing the north timber pier, and renovating a small section of the pier closest to the abutment to be used as a fishing pier. The south side pier section will be rehabilitated by removing the existing decking, replacing pilings, and reinforcing remaining pilings, the deck structure will be reinforced with some new members and hardware, and the pier will be completely redecked sustainable hardwood and new handrails.
TIME-LINE:
2019 -Summer, Re-opens to the public.
2018 - Fall, Expected completion.
2017 - December, Chesterfield will begin to mobilize work forces and begin demolition of the north pier.
2017 - October, Construction is expected to begin
2017 - September, Town authorizes execution of a Contract with Chesterfield Associates, Inc. for work to be performed
2017 - August, Town goes out to Bid for construction services associated with work to be performed on both the north and south timber piers.
2017 - June, New York State and Fema funding approved
2016 - Town through use of contractors assessed condition and ability to rehabilitate the south side of the piers. The north side is scheduled for substantial removal and rehabilitation of a short fishing pier.
2014 - Applied for FEMA Funding
1988 - County donates old north and south sections to the town for fishing and diving pier and boat launch.
1986 - County builds new expansion bridge
