Rules Committee OKs Contract For Great Neck Plaza Bridge Project

GREAT NECK, NY — A Nassau County committee has voted to enter a deal involving the reconstruction of the Cutter Mill Road/Bayview Avenue Bridge.

The Rules Committee of the Nassau County Legislature voted July 13 to enter into a $587,560 deal with professional engineering design services KS Engineers, Legislator Ellen Birnbaum of Great Neck said in a news release. The bridge runs over the Long Island Rail Road track in the Village of Great Neck Plaza.

The infrastructure project addresses recent findings contained within a recent State Department of Transportation bridge inspection report that identified significant deficiencies with the structure. Construction for the project — which calls for demolition of the superstructure and building a new, modernized bridge from the foundation up — will be eligible for 80 percent federal reimbursement.

“Through this vital infrastructure project, Nassau County will address critical public safety concerns while simultaneously ameliorating a persistent eyesore in the Village of Great Neck Plaza,” Birnbaum said. "I thank my colleagues on the Legislature’s Rules committee for setting the project into motion by voting to approve this design service contract.”

Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender noted the complexities of the project due to its location over the LIRR and the "shared responsibilities of the bridge, deck and abutments with the (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)-LIRR for their train operations and maintenance."

"While we are pleased that Nassau County has allocated funds for this bridge repair work, needless to say, for the period of its rehabilitation and construction, it will have a significant impact on the Village of Great Neck Plaza, its residents, businesses, commuters and the Great Neck Peninsula in general," Celender said.

He added that the Village will work with Birnbaum and KS Engineers to "ensure concerns identified by the Village are addressed" throughout the project.