Senator wants span torn down

State Senator Michael W. Morrissey has a radical solution to a longstanding squabble between Quincy and Boston over Long Island: Demolish the aging bridge that connects the Boston Harbor island to the Quincy mainland, rather than sink $40 million into needed repairs.

"It's essentially a road to nowhere," Morrissey said of the massive bridge built in 1951. "All it is is a burden to those of us in Quincy."

For years, Quincy and Boston have squabbled over Long Island, a harbor island owned by Boston but accessible from Quincy by a half-mile-long bridge.

Quincy residents resent the fact that they can't use the picturesque island, and that traffic to facilities on Long Island clogs Quincy streets. Boston officials say they lack the resources to fix up the island for visitors and say they have done everything they can to ease traffic.

Morrissey said it would be cheaper to build a dock and operate a ferry service from Boston than it would be to fix the bridge. The bridge is not worth fixing, he said, and "as a practical matter, we should condemn it."

The idea has generated some support among Quincy officials.

"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to spend $40 million on a bridge the public isn't able to go over," said David Murphy, an aide to Quincy Mayor William J. Phelan. "There has always been concern about restricting public access to an absolutely beautiful piece of property."

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has asked Governor Deval Patrick and the state Highway Department to undertake the $40 million reconstruction project.

The 225-acre island's principal use now is as the site for Boston's Long Island Shelter for the homeless. Several hundred individuals are bused to and from the island daily, through the Squantum section of Quincy.

People going to the homeless shelter used to be picked up by bus at the North Quincy Red Line station, but in response to complaints from Quincy officials, Boston moved the pickup locations to places in Boston.

The city also operates 15 other programs on the island, mostly health and social service programs for the poor and people with substance-abuse problems.

Boston has used the island to house the poor and for treatment of people with various disabilities since the late 19th century.

Not surprisingly, Boston officials gave a chilly reception to Morrissey's suggestion to tear the bridge down. Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Menino, said getting the bridge fixed is the city's top priority.

"We have been spending about $2 million a year in emergency repairs," said Joyce. "We have been going back and forth with the state on the reconstruction project."

Money for the bridge overhaul was included in a state bond issue during the administration of Acting Governor Jane Swift. Governor Mitt Romney's administration put a hold on the project in 2003 because of the state budget crisis during that period.

Joyce said Boston would like to have ferry service to the island, but it is not feasible now. "We did have a dock there, but because of the tides, it washed away," she said.

Morrissey's call for demolition of the bridge follows an appeal by Quincy City Councilor Leo J. Kelly last month to Boston officials to open Long Island to recreation.

"I've had many people come up to me and say, 'I remember going out there picnicking with their families and enjoying the view and fishing. Why can't we go out there now?' " Kelly said.

Joyce said Boston officials would like to open the island to visitors.

"We'd love to have people come there," she said. "We want to make sure the bridge is up and running before we allow more public access."

Only people attending programs or working on Long Island are allowed on the island now. Unauthorized visitors are turned away at a gatehouse at the beginning of an access road from Quincy.

In the past, Quincy officials and residents have demanded access to the island during Tall Ships visits to Boston Harbor. The island is one of the best places reachable by land to view harbor events.

Access to the Long Island bridge is via a 2,500-foot causeway that runs from Dorchester Street in Squantum to Moon Island, another harbor island owned by Boston but accessible by land only from Quincy.

Boston and Quincy also have had conflicts over Moon Island, where Boston once operated a sewage-processing facility. Boston's bomb squad also has used Moon Island as a place to detonate suspected explosive devices. The city now operates a police firing range and firefighter training center on the island.

Brian McNamee, city councilor of Quincy's Ward 6, who represents the north end of the city, said he supports Morrissey's idea but warns that opening Long Island to the public would be difficult now.

"Public access has to be controlled," said McNamee. "It may look like it's safe, but there are hazards out there, such as uncovered wells and sink holes."

The debate over the bridge to Long Island comes at a time when federal, state, and local officials are looking for ways to promote public use of the Boston Harbor Islands.

US Representative William D. Delahunt, a Quincy Democrat, has been a strong advocate for more water access to the islands and has been pressing for ferry service from Marina Bay in Squantum.

Mark Forest, Delahunt's chief of staff, questioned whether the money to replace the bridge might be better spent developing ferry service.

"Think what you could do for $40 million," Forest said. "How much would a dock cost?"

Robert Preer can be reached at preer@globe.com.