The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it will soon begin work on the Albion Bridges, which carry School Street over the Blackstone River and a small canal on the Cumberland/Lincoln border. This is the latest in a series of bridge improvements across Rhode Island to prevent further deterioration before more costly repairs are needed.
"There are hundreds of bridges like these across the state - both large and small - that require regular maintenance to prevent them from falling into a state of disrepair," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. "Work on the Albion bridges is a prime example of why we need RhodeWorks. It will provide us the funding to properly address the needs for our structurally deficient bridges and to keep the rest of our bridges from becoming deficient."
The work is part of a nearly $3 million project with Cardi Corporation to preserve 10 bridges across the state. For the portion involving the Albion Bridges, crews will seal, repave and stripe both bridges, and resurface the roadway approaches.
During this project, RIDOT must close the structures for approximately six weeks, beginning on Monday, June 29 at 7 a.m.
Signed detours will be in effect, asking drivers to use Albion Road, Route 116 (George Washington Highway) and Old River Road to bypass the closure. Detour maps are available at www.dot.ri.gov/detourmaps.
The Blackstone River Bikeway will remain open during construction, however, there may be brief closures weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for construction vehicles crossing between the work sites on either side of the bikeway. Riders and pedestrians will be prohibited from entering or exiting the path at School Street for the duration of the project, and the parking lot in between the two bridges will be closed. For other public lots available along the Blackstone River Bikeway, visit www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri.
To sign up for weekly updates on RIDOT projects around the state, contact dot.customerservice@dot.ri.gov. Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions.
Contact: Charles St. Martin (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4007