Travelers Should Expect Delays and Take Alternates
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will take Sandy Bottom Bridge in Coventry down to one lane with alternating direction controlled by a temporary traffic signal on each side of the bridge starting on May 18 as part of the bridge superstructure replacement. Travelers should expect delays. Sandy Bottom Bridge carries Sandy Bottom Road over the Pawtuxet River. Its daily vehicle traffic is 16,000. The bridge is structurally deficient.
Since Sandy Bottom Road is the main connection between Route 117 and Tiogue Avenue, the goal of this construction plan is to keep traffic flowing and to maintain access to all businesses on Sandy Bottom Road.
The $8.85 million project will be done in two phases. Phase one addresses the west side of the bridge with alternating traffic flowing on the eastern side of the bridge. This will be in place until late December of 2020. Phase two will start in the 2021 construction season.
Some nighttime milling and paving operations will require limited closures. Alternate routes for the closure times will be posted well in advance.
Construction will include a completely new superstructure with ADA compliant sidewalks on each side and improved drainage and stormwater management.
Built in 1931 the Sandy Bottom Bridge sits on two piers in the water. The new multi-girder steel bridge will span the river from one side to the other without piers. Portions of the two old piers will be cut down and the remaining parts of the piers will be left in the river.
All projects are subject to changes caused by weather, scope or unforeseen events. The Sandy Bottom Bridge replacement is part of RIDOT's $5 billion RhodeWorks program to bring Rhode Island's infrastructure into a state of good repair.