The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will continue demolishing the old Route 403 Bridge at Exit 7A over Route 4 tonight. Work will consist of steel cutting in preparation for girder removal. The methods used, torch cutting or hand grinding, produce much less noise than the deck removal that took place over the weekend.
“Tonight's operations will produce standard industry noise such as backup alarms, but this is no different than the construction activities that we have been performing over the past three years,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis.
Half of the bridge’s deck was removed Sunday night. The Department anticipates the second half of the deck will be removed beginning tomorrow night. The girders will be removed after that. This is expected to take two to three days. The final phase will take down the concrete center pier and the bridge’s abutments.
Night work is done on this project to limit traffic delays and provide safety to both motorists and construction workers. The Department apologizes in advance for any inconveniences area residents or motorists might incur.
Project updates as well as road openings and closings can be found on RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov
Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450
Contact: Heidi Cote 401-222-1362 x. 4009