RIDOT Closing Two East Bay Bike Path Bridges Due to Safety Concerns, Will Stay Open for 2 More Weeks
GoLocalProv News Team
RIDOT Closing Two East Bay Bike Path Bridges Due to Safety Concerns, Will Stay Open for 2 More Weeks
The Barrington River and Palmer River bridges will be closed starting on Friday, November 1.
“It’s no secret that our bridges are suffering from years of deterioration and lack of proper funding for repairs. Unfortunately, that is true when it comes to these two bike path bridges. Based on the level of deterioration we’re seeing, we must close them for the safety of all path users,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBoth bridges will be replaced.
Bridge Closures and Repair
According to RIDOT, both bridges are structurally deficient and have advanced deterioration of structural elements.
Two years ago, RIDOT closed the sidewalks on both structures because of the deteriorating condition of the bridges.
RIDOT will begin design work shortly, and that work will be ongoing next year.
As design advances, RIDOT will create a construction schedule.
The bridges will remain closed during this process. $10 million has been allocated for this work.
Alternate Options
According to RIDOT, during the closure, signs will direct path users to dismount and walk their bikes on the sidewalks of the nearby vehicular bridges.
Alternatively, users may wish to choose between cycling the northern or southern portions of the bike path.
This includes an 8.5-mile segment from India Point Park in Providence to the Police Cove Park in Barrington and a 6-mile segment from just south of the Palmer River Bridge in Warren to Independence Park in Bristol.
RIDOT is coordinating with the Town of Warren regarding a temporary access point to the bike path in the vicinity of Crescent Street.