As part of the Randall Street Bridge Replacement Project in the City of Providence, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will need to close the bridge during construction for approximately eight months. The Randall Street Bridge, which dates back to 1916, carries approximately 18,500 vehicles per day on Randall Street over the Moshassuck River. Randall Street connects North Main Street and Charles Street, with a portion of the road crossing a short bridge over the Moshassuck River. The closure will be approximately 60 feet east of the Moshassuck River to allow access to businesses on Randall Street.
Throughout the bridge's closure, anticipated to begin Monday, March 18, 2013, the recommended detour for northbound traffic on Charles Street is to follow Corliss Street to Industrial Drive to reach North Main Street. RIDOT recommends that southbound traffic in this area on Ashburton Street turn left onto Charles Street and follow the detour using Corliss Street, Industrial Drive and North Main Street to return to Randall Street. Traffic on North Main Street bound for Charles Street should follow North Main Street and turn right onto Mill Street. Trucks that may not be able to make the sharp turn onto Mill Street are encouraged to follow Canal Street and reverse direction using Smith Street to North Main Street to Mill Street.
"We recognize that this closure and detour will impact the surrounding neighborhood, yet it is essential to close the bridge during construction to enable us to reopen it sooner," said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis.
Through a $1.42 million contract with Cardi Corporation, a new superstructure with steel girders supported on the existing concrete abutments will be built. The new 45-foot long bridge, at 60 feet wide, will also include two 10-foot sidewalks and a replicated ornamental pedestrian railing and a vehicular two bar railing. It is anticipated that the bridge will reopen to traffic at the end of November.
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
