Continued deterioration leads Department to accelerate bridge replacement
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced the closure of the Blanchard Sawmill Bridge which carries Winsor Avenue over the Moswansicut Brook at the Scituate/Johnston line. RIDOT today discovered advanced deterioration and decided to close it, effective tomorrow, Friday, June 14.
This deficient, nearly 120-year old stone masonry culvert already carried a weight limit of just 3 tons. Because of its poor condition, half the bridge was closed in 2017 and an alternating traffic pattern was established.
The bridge was scheduled to be replaced later this summer, but RIDOT chose to close the bridge sooner given the recent finding. RIDOT estimates it will cost about $700,000 to replace this small bridge, with work starting in early July and finishing by the end of the year.
During the closure, motorists can use Hopkins Avenue, Hartford Pike (Route 6) and West Greenville Road (Route 116) to detour around the closure. This is the same detour RIDOT has used for truck traffic since the traffic pattern change and weight limit reduction in 2017. A detour map is available online at www.ridot.net/DetourMaps.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The replacement of the Blanchard Sawmill 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.