The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced that the Slatersville Stone Arch Bridge that carries Route 5 (Providence Pike) over the Branch River in North Smithfield is scheduled to close for rehabilitation effective Monday, May 1. The bridge will be closed through July.
The historic Slatersville Stone Arch Bridge – the oldest documented masonry bridge in Rhode Island, built in 1855 – carries approximately 8,000 vehicles per day. The bridge has been structurally-deficient since 2007, and carries a 20-ton weight limit. The bridge is in such disrepair, RIDOT in 2013 closed half the bridge and installed temporary traffic signals for a single-lane alternating traffic pattern on the bridge, causing traffic delays in the village.
RIDOT's project will rehabilitate the structure so it no longer will be deficient nor carry a weight limit. The schedule includes closing the bridge twice during the three-year project, an approach that will shave a year off the project's construction timeline.
Additionally, a major component of the project involves the restoration and reinforcement of the existing stone arches, which support the 150-foot long bridge. RIDOT was required to rehabilitate rather than replace the bridge in order to maintain its historical integrity as the bridge sits in Slatersville Historic District.
The total cost of the project, taking into account added costs associated with accelerating the project, the historic preservation efforts, and additional steps to meet environmental restrictions, is $13.5 million.
The project also includes upgrades to portions of Main Street and Route 5 (Railroad Street/Providence Pike), such as resurfacing, bringing all existing curbing, sidewalks and walkways into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, adding new signing and striping, and some minor drainage and intersection improvements.
During the first closure period, RIDOT will install the arch strengthening components. A second closure, to complete the construction of the bridge after the existing utilities have been relocated, is planned from March 2018 through July 2019. The contract primarily features daytime construction, yet some night work may be required for paving operations.
During the closures, motorists are advised to follow the recommended detour using the turn-by-turn directions described below. Local access will be maintained. Get detour maps at www.ridot.net/detourmaps.
Northbound Car Detour:
Turn right onto Industrial Drive (Approx. ¼ mile before the bridge); Industrial Drive turns into Pound Hill Road; Pass under Route 146 overpass, turn left for Route 146 North on-ramp; Take the Forestdale/Slatersville exit; At end of ramp, turn left onto School Street; Bear left onto Greene Street; Return to Route 5
Northbound Truck Detour:
Turn right onto Industrial Drive (Approx. ¼ mile before the bridge); Industrial Drive turns into Pound Hill Road; Pass under Route 146 overpass, turn left for Route 146 North on-ramp; Take the Forestdale/Slatersville exit; At end of ramp, turn right onto School Street; Turn left onto Route 146A; Follow 1.5 miles to return to Route 5
Southbound Car Detour
Turn left onto Greene Street; Bear right onto School Street; Turn left onto Route 146A; Turn left for on-ramp to Route 146 South; Take the Pound Hill Road exit; Turn right at end of the ramp onto Pound Hill Road; Pound Hill Road becomes Industrial Drive; Return to Route 5
Southbound Truck Detour
Turn left onto Route 146A; Drive South (Approx. ½ mile before the bridge); Use on-ramp for Route 146 South; Take the Pound Hill Road exit; Turn right at end of the ramp onto Pound Hill Road; Pound Hill Road becomes Industrial Drive; Return to Route 5
All dates are weather-dependent and subject to change. To sign up for weekly updates on this or other RIDOT projects around the state, contact help@ridot.net. 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