The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding motorists that tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, 2014, it plans to close Exit 5 on I-195 East and a portion of Warren Avenue in East Providence to install the bridge decks for the new Warren Avenue Bridge.
The closures begin at 3 a.m. and are scheduled to continue through the weekend. These roads are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, November 3. The Warren Avenue Bridge, which carries traffic from Veterans Memorial Parkway onto I-195 West, remains closed through mid-November.
RIDOT is building on its recent successful installation of the Barton Corner Bridge on I-95 in Warwick by replacing the Warren Avenue Bridge using accelerated techniques. Through a $2.9 million contract, Aetna Bridge Company of Warwick built portions of the bridge deck along Warren Avenue and has been assembling the bridge's foundation using precast concrete components. This approach allows the entire project to be completed in approximately one month versus a full construction season with conventional construction.
The work this weekend involves installation of the new bridge decks. RIDOT altered its original schedule to avoid work on Halloween night.
While some congestion and delays are expected, precautions are being taken to make sure that they are minimal. Signed detours will be in place during all closures, and police details will help direct travelers to their destination.
All construction activities and schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Remaining travel impacts include:
• Through Saturday, November 15: Closure of the Warren Avenue Bridge, which carries traffic from Veterans Memorial Parkway to I-195 West. During this closure, motorists on Veterans Memorial Parkway can use Lyon Avenue, South Broadway or Pawtucket Avenue to detour to other on-ramps for I-195.
• Saturday, November 1 - Monday, November 3: Warren Avenue at the bridge, between Purchase Street and 1st Street, will be closed for bridge installation. At the same time, Exit 5 (Warren Avenue) on I-195 East will be closed. Local detours include using Veterans Memorial Parkway and Lyon Avenue for eastbound traffic and Taunton Avenue and Valley Street for westbound traffic. Interstate traffic should detour using Exit 6 (Broadway).
For safety purposes, the public is discouraged from watching the bridge installation, which will take place over several hours. Live camera feeds will be available on RIDOT's website to allow people to watch online.
The public will be informed in advance of any traffic changes that take place in this area; this includes alerts on electronic message boards – as well as updates being posted to the department's Facebook (www.facebook.com/RIDOTNews) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RIDOTNews) pages. For schedule information, detour maps and a link to a live camera feed to view the bridge moves, visit www.dot.ri.gov/projects.
Built in 1959, the Warren Avenue Bridge was in a state of advanced deterioration. Timber supports were installed along the structure's piers to maintain traffic loads until the bridge could be replaced. Approximately 8,700 vehicles cross this bridge daily.
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Media interested in covering the placement of the new bridge should contact Rose Amoros at 222-1362, Ext. 4450 or 261-2159 to arrange for a safe viewing location.