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Hampton Bays business owners ask county for help as detour could divert summer customers
Summary
Business owners near the bridge warned a months‑long closure could depress sales at busy seasonal businesses and asked whether the county or state could offer subsidies or scheduling mitigations; county said local access to businesses would be maintained but did not promise compensation.
Business owners at the meeting said the proposed seven to eight month detour could significantly reduce customer traffic during key weekends and seasonal periods and urged the county to consider measures to mitigate economic harm.
"Are there any resources that would subsidize the losses that businesses in Hampton Bays… would take?" asked Tom Burns, a Civic member, noting businesses east and west of Ponquag Avenue could be affected. County officials said local access to properties would be maintained up to the bridge and that the roadway would remain open to reach businesses in the closure zone, but they did not commit to direct financial assistance.
Business representatives urged more targeted outreach to individual businesses and suggested timing or contractual mechanisms (weekend scheduling, rapid erection of prefabricated elements) that could reduce impacts on peak commercial periods. County staff responded that much pre‑work will be done while the bridge remains open to minimize detour length and that detailed coordination with businesses will continue during design.
