Restricted Access At Shinnecock Inlet West For Emergency Assessement

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Emergency assessment and work along the beach and dunes of the west side of Shinnecock Inlet will prompt some areas of restricted access for pedestrians and 4-wheel drive vehicles in the coming days, Southampton Town officials said.

Southampton Town's Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management was advised by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works that the work will be taking place over the next several days to week, officials said.

In an effort to address vulnerable portions of the beach and dune on the west side of the Shinnecock Inlet that suffered coastal erosion impacts from the recent storm, the Suffolk County DPW and contractors will be conducting work in the area, town officials added.

The work began on Wednesday and may take about a week to complete, barring any unforeseen issues; weather conditions, holidays, and other factors may impact that timeline, officials said.

During the time that the project will be taking place, the beach area impacted by the project will be closed to pedestrian and four-wheel-drive vehicle access; the access restrictions are for public safety purposes and will be enforced by the Town of Southampton, officials said.

The beach area of restricted access will be narrowed as best as possible in an attempt to preserve the greatest possible public access while still ensuring safety during the short project, officials said.

During the time that the project will be taking place, there will be construction vehicles and possible shifts in traffic patterns in the area, as well as some limited parking on the east side of the Ponquogue Beach parking lot, town officials said.

Individuals and drivers visiting the area are asked to use extreme caution due to some of these temporary changes.

"This emergency project is an important factor in maintaining the resiliency of the beach and dune area on the west side of the Shinnecock Inlet as we continue through the winter nor’easter season," officials said.