RIDOT Plans to Turn Crook Point Bascule Bridge Over to Providence for $1
GoLocalProv News Team
RIDOT Plans to Turn Crook Point Bascule Bridge Over to Providence for $1
RIDOT announced its plans on Thursday, when it issued an inspection report following the recent fire at the bridge.
“RIDOT has been in talks with the City of Providence to transfer ownership to the City, and in April sent an agreement to the City to transfer the property for a fee of $1,” said RIDOT on Thursday. “With the finding that the bridge is structurally sound, the Department will move forward with the transfer and anticipates finalizing it later this summer pending approval by the City, the Rhode Island Public Rail Corporation, and the Providence Redevelopment Agency.”
“RIDOT acquired the Crook Point Bascule Bridge in 1981 as part of a real estate package that included the railroad tunnel and the former Union Station. The purchase would clear the title for the development of Capital Center (Union Station area). It was built in 1908 by the New Haven Railroad,” RIDOT added. “Train service stopped in 1976 when the lift portion of the bridge was raised to its current position for boating purposes.”
In 2019, the State of Rhode Island turned over the Providence Pedestrian Bridge to the city -- for $1.
In June, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza touted the winner of a redesign concept contest -- read more here.
Inspection Following Fire
“The findings show the fire did not cause any major damage to the steel superstructure of the bridge and the channel on the Seekonk River under the bridge is safe for boaters,” said RIDOT. “RIDOT completed a hands-on inspection earlier this week on the 113-year-old bridge and removed approximately 60 pieces of timber that were burned, loose, or otherwise damaged by the fire.”
“RIDOT inspects the bridge for structural soundness every two years. The safety of this bridge has been an ongoing concern to RIDOT. There is fencing around it, but people continue to circumvent the safety barriers and access the bridge,” the department added.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's office did not respond to request for comment at time of publication.