Barnum Island Bridge traffic change slated for Aug. 9

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The northbound side of the Barnum Island Bridge on Long Beach Road will close and the southbound side will reopen on Aug. 9, if weather permits, as the bridge’s reconstruction continues ahead of schedule.

Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford reported on her Facebook page on Aug. 7, that traffic patterns on the bridge would change now that construction on the southbound side of the bridge has been completed. However, traffic in both directions will be preserved.

Speaking to the Herald, Ford asked residents to pay attention during the switchover, which is slated to occur after hours, and raised the possibility of a delay if weather does not allow for traffic lines to be painted on the newly completed span. She said officers from the 4th Precinct would be on-hand to direct traffic as necessary.

Overall, however, the work, which began Dec. 2, is ahead of schedule according to Ford, and barring major delays is tentatively scheduled for completion this December, roughly six months earlier than originally anticipated.

The bridge was built in 1925 and reconstructed in 1988. It was inspected six years ago and found to have structural problems, Mary Studdert, Nassau County Department of Public Works spokeswoman, told the Herald last year. The county then instituted a reduced-load limit for vehicles of 20 tons as a temporary safety measure.

The project’s total cost is about $8.32 million, with $5.92 million to be reimbursed by the federal government.