East Hampton reopens $1.6M long‑term lot as region prepares for US Open traffic

East Hampton Village officials reopened a long-term parking lot on May 14 after an approximately $1.6 million renovation that added 33 parking spaces and two electric-vehicle charging stations, the broadcast reported. The lot had been closed since March 9 and its reopening was delayed by several weeks after a contractor error in the installation of lighting fixtures.

A village administrator quoted on the program said the lot had been "in shambles" and emphasized that the project was paid from surplus funds and did not impact taxes. While waiting for replacement fixtures, the police department installed temporary lights powered by generators to illuminate the lot at night.

The timing comes as the region prepares for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 15 through 21. The broadcast said the event is expected to bring an estimated 150,000 spectators to Southampton and listed related traffic measures: overnight road closures to install a pedestrian bridge over County Road 39, a closure of Tuckahoe Road near the course through June 26, and a 3-mile eastbound express lane created on Sunrise Highway to carry shuttle buses between the golf club and a parking facility in Calverton. Southampton officials are urging residents to register for automated text traffic alerts.

The program noted the lot’s reopening and the town’s temporary lighting fixes as local infrastructure updates intended to help manage seasonal and event-driven demand.