The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has reopened rural Railroad Avenue at the site of the former Slocum Bridge in North Kingstown by replacing the bridge with a concrete drainage structure.
The bridge, in place since 1928, was scheduled for replacement in 2018, but with the posting of a weight limit in October, RIDOT moved quickly to obtain the necessary permits and approvals to do the project this fall.
At $278,000, RIDOT found the simpler design for handling stormwater running under the road through the placement of a drainage structure more cost effective. This will also save the Department on maintenance fees over time.