The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it expects to close the Shippee Bridge in Burrillville on September 15, 2008. The bridge carries Sherman Farm Road (Route 98) in the village of Harrisville, over the Nipmuc River, and has carried a 3-ton weight limit since February. The closure is necessary to allow for partial rehabilitation of the bridge that will allow RIDOT to raise the weight limit to 10 tons.
All traffic will be directed to follow the heavy vehicle detour that has been in place since February.
RIDOT expects the work to take approximately three months, at which time the bridge would be reopened to traffic.
Inspections of the bridge and a load rating analysis completed last winter found further deterioration to bridge components and a need to lower the weight restriction.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007