The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced a temporary shift of the northbound travel lanes on Route 146 where it passes over Route 104 at the Farnum Pike Bridge in North Smithfield. On Monday, January 27, RIDOT will install a right lane shift at the bridge between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Delays are possible.
The shift is a necessary part of a $13.9 million design-build project for a total replacement of the structurally deficient Farnum Pike Bridge. RIDOT implemented a similar right lane shift for Route 146 southbound at this bridge last fall. Together the shifts move traffic away from the median, where a temporary bridge structure will be built to accommodate future lane shifts that will be needed to fully replace the bridge.
A design-build contract allows RIDOT to accelerate the project with design and initial construction activities happening at the same time. Pre-construction activities, including utility relocations, are underway now. Construction activities will ramp up in the spring and the project will be done in Summer 2022.
The bridge carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day. All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The replacement of the Farnum Pike Bridge project was made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.