The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that will close the north sidewalk on the Atwells Avenue Bridge for approximately two months beginning Wednesday, September 2. Part of an ongoing bridge rehabilitation project, the closure will allow crews to begin repairing the trusses on that side eight weeks earlier than scheduled.
The work is part of a $2.5 million project with the John Rocchio Corp. to replace the top portion of the bridge, which was damaged during the floods of 2010. The structure has been closed to traffic since January, with pedestrian access maintained on the north sidewalk while crews worked on the south side of the bridge.
With work now taking place on both sides of the bridge, pedestrians will follow a short detour using the Woonsasquatucket River Greenway and a driveway for the nearby Eagle Square shopping plaza to bypass the construction zone. Temporary barrier will be placed along the plaza driveway to create an area for people to walk, and trees and bushes along the route will be trimmed so pedestrians are more visible. This detour will remain in effect until work on the south side of the bridge is completed and those sidewalks can be reopened.
To sign up for weekly updates on this and other 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.
