SOUTHOLD - Suffolk Executive Steven Levy announced that he has secured an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide protection against erosion for one of the North Fork’s most traveled roads.

Under the agreement, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will construct erosion control measures along Hashamomuck Cove, Southold, through its Emergency Shoreline Protection Project. Sheet pilings will be placed along the right-of-way on County Road 48, North Road/Middle Road. This 50-foot section of road sits roughly 50 to 75 feet from the Long Island Sound, but can get as close as 25 feet during storms, causing the need for protection from damage caused by wave action or similar natural forces.

The study area will extend from Orient Point 15 miles west to Goldsmith Inlet and will cover both the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay sides of the North Fork. The private bulkheads along Hashamomuck Cove on the north shore are vulnerable to storm damage, and the beach fronting them has been subject to substantial erosion over the past four decades.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already pointed out several areas in this vicinity are at risk from flooding and wave damage that could impact both major North Fork roads, including Route 25 being threatened with erosion near the East Marion Seawall, and C.R. 48 being threatened by a lack of bulkheads on two undeveloped parcels and several private bulkheads along the roadway that are vulnerable to storm damage and erosion. Identifying and taking corrective measures for erosion problems will also protect the numerous homes and businesses along these roads that could potentially lose everything to erosion and storm damage.

Although the total cost of the project has not been fully determined yet, it is estimated that Suffolk will be responsible for providing a 10-percent share of the $5 million project, or $500,000. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will provide 20 percent of the cost and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will fund the remaining majority of the study.