WPRO Newsroom
It’s no secret that Rhode Island’s crumbling infrastructure is one of the state’s bigger problems. Now, Governor Lincoln Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation have announced a bridge preservation program that aims to fix the state’s deteriorating highways.
The first contract for $4.9 million was awarded to the Cardi Corporation, who will begin repairs on 13 bridges on the I-95 corridor from Warwick to Providence. Once this area is finished, RIDOT will expand the program to other highways.
“Proper maintenance of our transportation system is vitally important to the strength of our economy and the safety and well-being of our citizens,” said Chafee in a statement. “This bridge preservation program will pay numerous dividends: maintaining the structural integrity and safety of our bridges, putting Rhode Islanders in the construction industry to work, and avoiding the massive costs and traffic disruption caused by expensive replacement projects. This program aligns well with our ongoing efforts to implement a more proactive, fiscally responsible infrastructure plan in Rhode Island.”
According to the DOT, one in five Rhode Island bridges, more than 150, are considered structurally deficient. However, RIDOT says the bridges are inspected at least one every two years and are safe for travel.
The bridge preservation program includes bridge washing, replacement of deck joints, concrete patching and sealing, and steel repair as needed. All steel bridges spanning over I-95 will be repainted in the same blue color as used on recent bridge construction in North Kingstown, East Greenwich and Providence. The color choice is a nod to Rhode Island’s Naval and nautical heritage.
Bridges included in this initial contract, from south to north in Warwick, include:
- I-95 over Route 4 South
- Cowesett Road over I-95
- I-95 over Route 117 (Centerville Road)
- I-95 over Toll Gate Road
- I-295 over I-95 South
- Route 113 (East Avenue) over I-95
- Route 5 (Greenwich Avenue) over I-95
- Airport Connector over I-95
- Service Avenue over I-95
- Route 37 East over I-95
- Route 37 West over I-95
- I-95 over Jefferson Boulevard
- I-95 over the Pawtuxet River
