The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will appear at a neighborhood meeting hosted by Providence City Councilwoman Sabina Matos next week to provide information and answer questions regarding the removal of the Magnolia Bridge No. 503. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the William D'Abate School, 60 Kossuth Street in Providence.
This bridge, which carries Route 6 East over the Plainfield Street ramps just before its intersection with Route 10, is 63 years old, has significant concrete deterioration throughout, and is considered structurally deficient. This project, slated to begin later in 2013, calls for the removal of this bridge and a realignment of Route 6 on an embankment instead of building a new bridge.
The removal of the bridge will allow RIDOT to make improvements for both highway and local traffic in this area of Providence. Route 6 will be shifted slightly to the north, and the on-ramp from Plainfield Street to Route 6 East will be shifted from the left side of the highway to the right side. These changes will improve safety and traffic flow by softening a curve and increasing the space between ramps.
"The replacement of bridges and improvement of traffic flow at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 10 is a high priority for the Department," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "Our goal with this meeting not only is to explain the improvements we have planned, but to hear from the public and incorporate their concerns, wherever possible, as we move from design to construction."
With this work, the off-ramp from U.S. Route 6 West to Plainfield Street will be closed permanently. Traffic will be directed to use the next exit to Hartford Avenue, which affords easy access to Plainfield Street. RIDOT is planning improvements along many streets and intersections to accommodate traffic during construction and for its final configuration.
A map depicting the proposed improvements is available on RIDOT's website at www.dot.ri.gov.
Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information may be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter and Facebook.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007
Directions:
From Manton Avenue, take Pope Street or Florence Street to Kossuth Street. The school is located close to the intersection of Florence Street and Kossuth Street. Limited off-street parking is available. RIPTA's Bus 27 provides service along Manton Avenue.
