The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to begin construction on a section of Hope Street in Bristol beginning on Monday, August 15, 2011. Through a $3 million contract with LAL Construction of Fall River, Mass., the Department will replace curbing and sidewalks, repair drainage lines and catch basins, remove and replant street trees, install decorative lighting, and resurface the roadway along a 0.6-mile segment of Hope Street (Route 114) from Constitution Street to Thames Street.
Initial operations involve the removal of approximately 30 street trees. The operation will begin at Constitution Street and continue north block-by-block for approximately two weeks. During this time, motorists may encounter delays and temporary parking restrictions.
RIDOT has developed – in accordance with a licensed arborist and landscape architects – a street tree plan for Hope Street. The plan calls for the removal of dead or dying trees, as well as trees that will not survive the reconstruction of the sidewalks, utilities and drainage systems. A total of 45 trees will be planted at the conclusion of the project. The Department has selected several different species of trees to maintain diversity and minimize potential issues from diseases or pests. The tree plan and selection and location of trees were developed through coordination with the Bristol Tree Commission, the Town of Bristol, and an ad-hoc committee of citizens.
Following the tree removal operations, the Bristol County Water Authority will install a new water line along Hope Street and RIDOT will begin work on the drainage systems. This work will run through the end of 2011. When construction resumes in the spring, RIDOT will begin removal and reconstruction of sidewalks. To avoid any disruption to the Bristol Fourth of July Parade, all operations will be suspended and all sidewalks will be left in a safe and passable condition for a two-week period leading up to Independence Day and through the holiday. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2012.
Anyone with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007