The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced that it will reopen George Street in Pawtucket to two-way traffic tonight, Friday, September 21, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Traffic has been limited to one-way traffic since last year to replace the bridge carrying George Street over I-95 North and South at Exit 27.
The overpass was replaced in two phases, beginning with the northbound travel lanes in May of 2011 and switching to southbound in June of this year. Friday's opening eliminates a local detour for southbound traffic traveling through the city, but does not affect the detours for Pleasant Street and Taft Street, which were closed in February 2011. These roads will remain closed until the end of the Pawtucket River Bridge Replacement Project in late 2013.
Once the southbound travel lanes are reopened, RIDOT will have replaced seven of the nine bridges being built as part of the project. The work is being completed through an $81 million contract with S&R/Pihl, a Joint Venture.
Those with questions about the remaining work can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter and Facebook.
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Contact: Bryan Lucier 401-222-1362 x4012