Nor'easter To Decide Timeline For Ponquogue Bridge Opening

Update: Officials say Dune Road faired well during Wednesday's nor'easter. Read the full story here. 

Previous: Mother Nature will decide the fate of the reopening of the Town of Southampton's portion of Dune Road that runs from the Shinnecock Inlet to Quogue, said Jennifer Garvey, spokeswoman for the Town of Southampton

The area, which was badly battered during Hurricane Sandy — with dunes virtually flattened across the main roadway — has remained blocked off since evacuations were ordered before Sandy hit. Only residents, who have signed harmless waivers have been allowed in to check on and shore up their property.

The re-opening of the Ponquogue Bridge, which leads to Dune Road, will depend on the turn out of Wednesday's nor'easter, which is expected to pack gusts of up to 60 mph, coastal flooding and a wintry mix, said Garvy on Tuesday.

"We don't know what is going to happen," said Garvy, noting that town workers have been busy building up sand where dunes were flattened during Hurricane Sandy, packing sand across Dune Road to the bay, especially near Tiana, where there was a large washover, making the roadway virtually impassable.

Best case scenario: the road will open sooner rather than later, Garvey said, adding that a date has not been set in stone because there are also concerns of security.

"Security systems are down on many homes now and we don't want any looting," she said.

Worst case scenario: "We'll see what happens," Garvey said.

While the town moves sand around in areas of weakness, Garvey said homeowners too were busy shoring up their property. On Saturday, during an emergency meeting for waterfront residents, the town announced that property owners can place sandbags in front of their homes.

Related Reading: 

• East Quogue Dune Road Residents Can Access Properties
• Photos: Dune Road Opens After Sandy; Homeowners Begin to Assess Damage
• After Sandy: Dune Road To Open at Noon

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