Work has begun to repair the Shinnecock Canal Bridge after flooding from Thursday’s heavy rains damaged it.

Officials are working to find a way to keep cars moving ahead of the workweek. The New York State Department of Transportation says crews will first fix the drainage issue.

While work is being done, westbound Sunrise Highway traffic is down to one lane and is shifted to the left shoulder – leaving commuters with added travel times.

"We have two main roads going east and west going into Long Island, when one goes down it is a serious issue,” said Jim Kiernan, the Southampton Town police chief.

Officials say the work is expected to take about a week to complete. They are asking drivers to stay on the main roads and avoid driving through people's neighborhoods.

"It's really not shaving off any time whatsoever. It's really creating more of a problem when they try to get back on the main roads," said Kiernan.

Kiernan says they are working this weekend to find a work around ahead of Monday’s commute. He says they are considering having traffic flow from Sunrise Highway to Montauk Highway back up to Sunrise Highway to avoid the area where crews are working.