The Nassau County Department of Public Works announced that it has deemed it necessary to once again rehabilitate the Bayville Bridge. This project is one which requires the complete closing of the bridge for 24 days during the month of October. The Bayville Bridge will be closed between Oct. 2 and Oct. 26. The bridge will reopen on Oct. 27. During this time, there will be a detour set up, guiding vehicles down Cleft, Factory Pond and Bayville Roads. The announcement was made by local Legislator Diane Yatauro.

She said, "I apologize to both the residents affected, as well as those who must use this detour. The inconvenience will be as brief as possible, and I ask that those who are detoured please be courteous while driving through the designated detour neighborhoods. If you have questions or require further information, please contact my office at 571-6218."

Oyster Festival co-Chair Donna Lee, Oyster Bay Rotary president, said of the closing of the bridge during the 2006 Oyster Festival, to be held on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, should not be a problem. "It's not really going to affect us because we advocate that people take the train from Locust Valley to and from the festival. It makes parking a breeze and it's a fun ride for the kids. And, for those who need to go by car - they can go through the scenic route through Mill Neck," she said cheerfully.

Bayville Mayor Victoria Siegel explained that the access for boats going in and out of Mill Neck Creek will continue during the renovations. The channel underneath the bridge will be half-open during the construction. "Frank M. Flower boats and boats that are not too tall will be able to make it underneath the bridge. We are advising boaters of what is happening, by mail. We are telling them they can be accommodated at West Harbor gratis so as not to inconvenience them."

She added, "This is not a Bayville project, it is a Nassau County project. The county did want to do the work during the summer but that would have killed the restaurant business and the beaches. I didn't want it done during the summer when there is more of an economic impact on the village. All businesses are dependent on the flow of traffic and people in the summer. You can't kill the summer business for my business people."

As for the Oyster Festival visitors, she said, "The detour is clearly marked. Also there will be a message board by the overpass so people will know. Our September village newsletter will inform every person and boater who will be receiving the letter. The fact is the bridge needs the work done. When can you do it when it doesn't inconvenience someone? The best thing we can do is to pre-advise them of what is happening.

"The county has been working on the project through the summer in order to minimize the closing of the bridge. The bottom line is the county has to make the bridge safe. The last time major work was done on the bridge was in 1992. The work then took longer than it will now," she added.

The bridge closings will also be enacted when the new Scare House opens in Bayville. Mayor Siegel said when Mr. Finlay proposed opening a haunted house - since it is the way the Bayville fire department has fundraised over the years - the village told him to speak with the fire department. The result is, she said, "The fire department is not concerned because people who go to haunted houses, go from one to another and will bounce from one event to the other.

"It will be great - a great economic boon for the village. Our business district has needed something to spark growth. When people ask if it will bring too many more people into the village, I reply, no it will bring back the people we lost," said the mayor.