The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it will close the State-owned Manville Hill Road Bridge on the Cumberland/Lincoln line effective this afternoon. The 58-year-old bridge carries Manville Hill Road over the Blackstone River, the Blackstone River Bikeway and the Providence & Worcester Railroad.
"Based upon a recent inspection, RIDOT is closing the Manville Road Bridge today," said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. "We regret any inconvenience this closure may cause the two host communities. However, safety is our first priority."
During a bridge inspection this week, engineers noted steel and bridge beam deterioration significant enough to require the Department to close the bridge. The 233-foot long bridge carries 4,300 vehicles per day.
Rehabilitation of the Manville Hill Road Bridge is under design. RIDOT is investigating options to make immediate repairs to minimize the duration of the closure. Additional repair work will be addressed through an upcoming construction contract scheduled to begin in Summer 2013.
A detour route will be established using Route 99 to cross the Blackstone River. Motorists on the Lincoln side of the bridge should follow a detour using Manville Hill Road, Route 126 (Old River Road) and Sayles Hill Road to reach Route 99. Motorists on the Cumberland side should follow Manville Hill Road to Route 122 (Mendon Road) to Route 99. A detour map will be posted on the Department's website at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/detourmaps.asp.
Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information can be found on RIDOT's social media sites Twitter and Facebook.
Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009
