Eaton St. Bike Path Error Cost Providence $127K, Claims City

Eaton St. Bike Path Error Cost Providence $127K, Claims City

The City of Providence spent $127,500 on the recently built Eaton Street bike and traffic lanes — which are now being removed. 

On Thursday, Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan announced the new lines would be removed, after hearing from constituents who were opposed to the new design. 

“The total project cost $127,500 and was paid for by the City through CIP bond money,” said Ben Smith in Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's office, when asked what the project cost.

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The city then said that was for both the initial installation cost $63,500 -- and that the cost for removal, redesign, inspection and restriping will cost $64,000. The total cost is $127,500.

 

Now, the city is planning on removing the new traffic pattern — and instituting the “original” traffic pattern (more below).

GoLocal has requested the cost to remove the recently installed bike path.

Latest Roadwork Re-Do

As GoLocal reported earlier in September, newly painted traffic lines were scraped off the recently repaved Blackstone Boulevard.

"A contractor installed temporary markings based on [an] older plan. The markings were hydroblasted immediately to allow for the installation of markings reflective of a revised plan," said Victor Morente in Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's office. "The striping contractor was on site last night and will continue their work tonight for permanent striping installation."

At the time, Morente could not confirm who was responsible for the error — or how much it cost.

“There was miscommunication,” Morente continued. “The prime contractor is JH Lynch. This particular work on Blackstone is part of a larger contract and it will take some time to breakdown the specific costs.”

Eaton Street Changes

As GoLocal reported Thursday, 

Providence City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan announced Thursday that following the implementation of the new bike and driving lanes, that Eaton Street will return to its original traffic pattern. 

“Making our City streets safe and accessible to all is one of my top priorities,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “We need to balance all new initiatives with the needs of the surrounding community, particularly when it is a matter of public safety. After hosting two community meetings and hearing from a cross section of the Elmhurst neighborhood where residents articulated their incisive observations with the Eaton Street traffic redesign, I am pleased to report that the Mayor has agreed with us.”

“I want to thank my neighbors for working together to address these genuine issues of public safety," said Ryan. "Our voices were heard loud and clear. Further, I also want to emphasize that my neighbors are not opposed to creating bike lanes on City streets. We simply ask the City administration to be mindful of the public engagement and vetting process.”
Ryan said that after several meetings with Mayor Jorge Elorza and his department Directors that she was successful in convincing City officials to have Eaton Street returned to its original traffic pattern. The remedial work will commence in a "timely fashion," said Ryan. 

Editor's Note: The City of Providence provided $127,500 when asked the cost was for the Eaton Street project; the city later said that was for both the initial installation -- and now removal. 

Updated Friday 1:50 p.m.