Bridge at Port Washington LIRR station to be replaced, town says

Stephen Romano

The Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station’s pedestrian bridge that closed June 29 will be replaced with a prefabricated bridge, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth said Friday.

LIRR President Patrick Nowakowski told Bosworth and town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio that the new bridge will be installed “as soon as possible,” Bosworth said in a statement. The new structure will not eliminate parking spots in the commuter lots, according to a news release from the town. 

“The LIRR has been, and continues to be, a wonderful partner to the Town,” Bosworth said. “They have worked closely with us on this issue and understand our desire to get the overpass replaced so that our commuters can have safe and easy passage over the tracks.”

The bridge was originally closed due to “deterioration of the bridge’s concrete and steel structure,” said Salvatore Arena, an LIRR spokesperson.

Many residents complained to the Town of North Hempstead and the LIRR after the bridge closed, saying the Main Street entrance to the platform was overcrowded without access to the pedestrian bridge, which stretches from the parking lot on South Bayles Avenue to Haven Avenue.

During the time when the bridge was closed, De Giorgio said the overcrowding on Main Street was a safety hazard that needed to be corrected.

Bosworth worked with De Giorgio to accommodate the commuters who use the 59-year-old bridge, she said in the statement.

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