The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding media organizations that it has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sakonnet River Bridge to take place tomorrow, April 24, 2009 at 3 p.m. The ceremony will take place on the Portsmouth side of the bridge on Riverside Avenue.
Governor Donald L. Carcieri, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and many other Federal, State and local officials will be in attendance.
RIDOT last week awarded a $163.7 million contract to Cardi Corporation for the construction of a new Sakonnet River Bridge. Construction will begin shortly and RIDOT anticipates the new bridge will be open to traffic in 2012. The contract does include an early incentive clause, which could result in the bridge opening one year earlier.
The new structure will be built just to the south of the existing 53-year-old span, which will be demolished at the conclusion of the project.
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Directions:
From the North: Follow Route 24 South over the old Sakonnet River Bridge. Take Exit 3 (Anthony Road). At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Anthony Road and follow it under Route 24 to the intersection with Hummocks Avenue (take care to stay left at ramp for Route 24 North). Turn left onto Hummocks Avenue, then take the first left onto Morris Avenue, and follow Morris Avenue to Riverside Avenue and event location.
From the South: Follow Route 24 North to Exit 3 (Hummocks Avenue). Follow Hummocks Avenue and turn left onto Morris Avenue and follow it to Riverside Avenue and event location.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007