The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will temporarily close a portion of Farnum Pike/Route 104 where it passes under the Route 146 overpass in North Smithfield Friday night, March 27 at 10 p.m. The road will remain closed throughout the day on Saturday, March 28, reopening that evening at approximately 10 p.m.
During the closure, RIDOT will demolish portions of retaining walls at the Farnum Pike Bridge, which carry northbound and southbound traffic on Route 146. This work only requires a closure of Route 104; traffic on Route 146 will not be affected.
During the closure, eastbound traffic should use Route 5 (Providence Pike), Industrial Drive, Pound Hill Road, and Route 146A (Smithfield Road) to return to Route 104. Westbound travelers should use the on ramp to Route 146 North, reverse direction to Route 146 South at Exit 13 (Pound Hill Road) and get off at Exit 11 to return to Route 104.
This work is part of a $13.9 million design-build project for a total replacement of the structurally deficient Farnum Pike Bridge, which carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day. Over the next few months, RIDOT will build a temporary bridge between the northbound and southbound spans of Route 146. This structure will allow RIDOT to shift traffic onto it as needed and avoid long-term lane closures on the highway.
A design-build contract allows RIDOT to accelerate the project with design and initial construction activities happening at the same time. The project will be done in Summer 2022. 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 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.