The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced a new traffic pattern effective today on the Blanchard Sawmill Bridge, carrying approximately 3,000 vehicles per day on Winsor Avenue over the Moswansicut Brook in Scituate/Johnston. Motorists are currently experiencing a one-way traffic pattern, and trucks are being detoured, to further protect the structural integrity of the 117-year-old bridge until it can be replaced.
RIDOT instituted the detour and has closed half of the bridge based upon a recent inspection reflecting increased deterioration of the structure. The posted weight limit for the 17-foot stone masonry culvert was also recently reduced from 5 tons to 3 tons. More information on the detour route can be found at www.ridot.net/detourmaps.
Current schedules call for the bridge replacement project to be underway in Fall 2018, and completed by the end of 2018.
