The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it has awarded a contract to repair the East Avenue West Bridge, which carries traffic for Route 113 (East Avenue) over I-295 in Warwick. As part of a continuing effort to rebuild Rhode Island's roads and bridges, the work is necessary to keep the structurally deficient structure - part of a heavily traveled commercial corridor that connects Route 5 and Route 2 - open without restrictions.
An inspection last year found that there was significant corrosion to the bridge's steel girders, requiring steel plates to be installed to reinforce them. Without this work, the Department would have been forced to detour heavy-vehicle traffic, affecting local businesses and emergency response in this densely populated area. RIDOT has been inspecting the bridge every two weeks to ensure that it does not show any additional signs of distress before the repairs can be made.
The project includes a $1.8 million contract awarded to the Cardi Corp. and a five percent budget contingency of $90,000. The project is scheduled to reach substantial completion in spring of 2016.
"Putting a weight limit on this bridge would have resulted in a lengthy detour that would have had a significant impact on this entire area," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. "This project is an important reminder that Rhode Island needs to build a program that addresses bridges like this long before restrictions become a possibility. I believe we have that program in RhodeWorks, and look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to make it a reality."
The 309-foot-long bridge is a three-span steel girder structure built in 1966 that carries upwards of 21,000 vehicles per day. Lane closures are expected along Route 113 and I-295 while work is taking place. However, the schedule will be limited to overnight hours, minimizing the impact on the nearby residents and surrounding businesses.
According to the Federal Highway Administration in 2014, Rhode Island has the most structurally deficient bridges in the county with one out of five bridges ranked in this category.
To sign up for weekly updates on RIDOT projects around the state, contact dot.customerservice@dot.ri.gov. Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions.
-30-
Contact: Charles St. Martin - 401-222-1362 x4007, 401-641-8934