The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today the Mineral Spring Avenue Bridge over the Moshassuck River in Pawtucket will be temporarily posted for 18 tons effective this evening. Travel lanes on Mineral Spring Avenue at the bridge will be narrowed, and a truck detour will be in place.
A recent inspection found significant deterioration in the stone supports that comprise the arch of the bridge. The bridge, originally built in 1900, is currently classified as structurally deficient. The inspection was part of the Department's Accelerated Bridge Inspection Program which includes re-inspection of all 230 structurally deficient bridges in Rhode Island. To date, more than 160 bridges have been inspected as part of the program which began on May 6, 2015 and is scheduled to be completed this month.
Bridge repairs are scheduled to be performed next week and may require a temporary closure of Mineral Spring Avenue at the bridge. Once the repair schedule is finalized, expected travel impacts will be included in RIDOT's daily travel advisories as well as posted online at www.dot.ri.gov/travel. Work is anticipated to be completed by Wednesday, August 19 - with all restrictions lifted at that time.
The signed truck detour, also available online at www.dot.ri.gov/travel, follows Smithfield Avenue, Weeden Street and Lonsdale Avenue.
For more information, visit us online at www.dot.ri.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RIDOTNews. For real-time traffic updates, subscribe to our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/RIDOTNews.
Contact: Rose Jones (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4450
