Repairs to Mohegan Bluffs Staircase on Block Island Reach Completion, According to DEM
GoLocalProv News Team
Repairs to Mohegan Bluffs Staircase on Block Island Reach Completion, According to DEM
Two weeks after the Rhode Island Department of Environment (DEM) announced that the walkway at the iconic lookout needed repairs, it is slated to be operational once again this weekend.
"The Mohegan Bluff staircase work that was bid was completed in 4 days," DEM spokesperson Jay Wegimont told GoLocal, of the work that was started on May 23.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Additional repairs on the staircase are itemized below and are what took longer to complete," he added.
- Total extra stair treads replaced 31
- Additional 30 stair treads flipped due to surface damage
- Reinforced 15 stairs not part of original quote
- Reset concrete pad at bottom of stairs
- Installed 2x6 railing for landing to beach
- Repaired existing bench support
"Additionally the entire parking area and trails leading to the overlook and staircase were re-graded with fresh gravel to fill in the washouts and potholes and new informational signage was installed at this location," Wegimont told GoLocal on Thursday. "The vendor is onsite today and work is expected to be completed later today or tomorrow morning. Following the completion, the barriers will be removed and it will be fully reopened."
The project was completed by Sole Source Restoration of Cranston.
"The Mohegan Bluff site and staircase is an extremely popular park facility on Block Island visited by hundreds of people daily in the summer. Heavy usage, as well as the fact that the bluffs, the stairway, and the coastline below are located in a harsh environment that contributes to wear and tear on the site," Wegimont continued. "In close communication with the Town of New Shoreham, DEM took action to contract for the repairs with the goal of completing them before the kick-off of the official summer season on Memorial Day weekend. Now that the repairs are complete, we hope that everyone will enjoy the site in a safe and responsible manner."
Timeline of Events
According to Wegimont, the work was only started in May -- on the edge of the summer season -- for the following reasons.
"New Shoreham town officials notified DEM on January 26, 2022, that there was a broken handrail and loose stair treads on the stairway. On March 2, DEM staff visited the island to perform a detailed inspection of all DEM properties including the stairway. Then we gathered information to put together a scope of work for the repair project," Wegimont told GoLocal at the project's outset.
"As is standard operating procedure for all state projects, this project went through a competitive bidding and procurement process through the State Division of Purchases. On May 16, DEM received written notification from the construction vendor that they would start the project on May 23."