The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced the upcoming closure of the Mussey Brook Bridge, which carries traffic on Route 126 (Old River Road) in Lincoln. The bridge is scheduled to be closed on Wednesday, July 5 and will remain closed until the end of this year.
The bridge was built in 1927, and carries 4,200 vehicles per day. Its original historic stone masonry arch will be preserved and strengthened, and a new bridge will be installed on top of the arch. Precast concrete components are being used to reduce the overall closure time of the bridge. Because of the nature of the work and narrow roadway, it is not possible to keep the bridge open to traffic while work is underway. While RIDOT expects the bridge to reopen by the end of the year, final completion on the $2.8 million project is scheduled for spring 2018.
The bridge serves local traffic in Lincoln, as well as one point of access from the north for Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln High School and the Lincoln Public Library. A signed detour will be established using New River Road to bypass the closure area.
The detour route with turn-by-turn directions is as follows:
Old River Road Northbound:
- Turn right onto Mussey Brook Road
- Turn left onto New River Road
- Turn left onto Main Street
- Return to Old River Road
Old River Road Southbound:
- Turn left onto Main Street
- Turn right onto New River Road
- Turn right onto Mussey Brook Road
- Return to Old River Road
The replacement of the Mussey Brook Bridge is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
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.