County calls on LIRR to make train trestle safer

The Center Moriches trestle, crossed by Main Street near Old Neck Road, is an LIRR overpass.

The site, over the years, has been the cause of several incidents involving tractor-trailers and trucks due to its low height.

The bend in the road and angle of the bridge, according to Suffolk County Legis. James Mazzarella, also causes the trucks to overturn resulting in backed-up traffic.

Most recently, Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct officers responded to a truck that struck the bridge on Feb. 11 at 4:40 p.m. One person was transported to a local hospital with non-serious injuries. Stats regarding the exact number of accidents at the site were unavailable by SCPD.

However, according to the MTA, since 2024, there have been seven bridge strikes at this trestle. Following a trestle strike, the LIRR sends inspectors to verify trestle integrity is safe.

The town and county currently have multiple signs indicating the low nature of the bridge; however, it does not seem to deter all drivers.

According to Mazzarella, the county DPW met at the trestle to explore ideas with Brookhaven Town DPW. The solution, he said, was to request the MTA installs flashing beacons, which have been used in other trestle locations, to indicate the warning of the low bridge more noticeably.

“The flashing lights on the bridge when approaching will grab your attention,” he said, noting they have already submitted a request to the MTA.

The MTA has confirmed they received the county’s request for flashing lights on the trestle and said they are currently evaluating that request.

“Numerous signs posted before drivers reach the trestle warn about a height restriction. Striking the trestle puts Long Island Rail Road riders and employees at risk,” said  MTA spokesperson Ray Raimundi.

Additionally, the county and town DPW plan to continue to cut back trees and brush to make existing signage more visible.

“We’re going to do all we can to make the bridge itself more visible,” Mazzarella added.