On Friday, June 20th, Town of Smithtown Elected Officials and Village of the Branch Mayor Mark Delaney gathered to mark the completion of a long-awaited pedestrian footbridge project—one that reconnects neighborhoods and underscores the power of municipal partnerships. The new bridge and walking path safely link the southern portion of Mount Pleasant Road to the Village Center shopping plaza along Route 111, providing a vital connection for residents, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
What began as a local priority quickly became a shared vision between the Town and the Village. With the full support of Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and the Smithtown Administration, the Smithtown Department of Highways—led by Superintendent Robert Murphy and Deputy Superintendent Jim Deutsch—worked in partnership with Mayor Delaney and the Village of the Branch to transform the long-abandoned portion of Old Route 111 into a scenic walking trail and cherished community asset.
“This project is a model of effective local government—leaders working together seamlessly to deliver meaningful results for the community,” shares Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim. “Residents wanted this bridge restored, and we delivered not just a safer connection between neighborhoods and local businesses, but also a project that enhances stream restoration and protects open space. I want to commend our outstanding Highway Department team, Superintendent Robert Murphy and Deputy Superintendent Jim Deutsch, for their dedication, and extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Delaney, whose partnership has been instrumental throughout this process. Together with the Village of the Branch, we’ve brought a shared community vision to life—one that will serve our residents today and preserve this natural corridor for generations to come.”
The Town’s Highway Department completed the paving of the trail later in the fall of last year, installing LED lighting for nighttime visibility, and preparing the site for state-of-the-art security cameras. The path now includes safety bollards at Mount Pleasant and Woodhollow roads to protect the surrounding ecosystem from unauthorized vehicles. New picnic areas were also added, turning this once-forgotten corridor into a peaceful escape for families, walkers, and cyclists.
“This was a priority for our Village, and the success of this project is due in no small part to the leadership and teamwork from the Town of Smithtown,” adds Village of the Branch Mayor Mark Delaney. “Highway Superintendent Robert Murphy and his team, especially Deputy Superintendent Jim Deutsch, went above and beyond—improving trail access and helping preserve this environmentally sensitive area. I also want to thank Village Trustee Kevin Damm for his hands-on leadership in managing our day-to-day responsibilities and ensuring the Village’s role in the project was carried out with great care. We are proud to see this project come to life, knowing what a difference it makes for our residents.”
The footbridge also serves as a new trailhead to the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, which stretches over 30 miles between Sunken Meadow State Park and Heckscher State Park, following the Nissequogue and Connetquot Rivers. Earlier in the Spring, the Smithtown Highway Department cleaned and restored stream corridors in the Village of the Branch, helping improve water flow and reduce flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The bridge project was made possible thanks to a $231,000 state grant awarded to the Village of the Branch, which covered the cost of the bridge and supported additional site improvements.
By revitalizing an overgrown, underutilized path into a safe, scenic walkway, the Town and Village have done more than improve access—they’ve demonstrated how strong intergovernmental partnerships can create lasting value and strengthen the fabric of the community.
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