Temporary Closures to Begin on Monday, November 27
The temporary closures of the channel on the Sakonnet River where it passes underneath the old Sakonnet River Bridge in Tiverton and Portsmouth will now begin on Monday, November 27 lasting approximately one month.
After November 27, vessels will be unable to enter or pass through the channel while bridge demolition activities are underway from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. With later boating restrictions, RIDOT hopes to minimize the impact on the recreational boating community.
RIDOT will reopen the channel to marine traffic each day at 6 p.m. Additionally, the channel will be open all day on Sundays.
During this first phase of demolition, RIDOT is removing approximately 6.2 million pounds of steel and 2,700 cubic yards of concrete across 17 spans between the bridge's piers. The project is on time and on budget, with final completion scheduled for Summer 2018.