Upcoming Newport bridge repairs promise to be a nightmare for commuters as officials from the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority released a plan Monday morning outlining the scope of the project to replace the deck on the bridge.
Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on the Newport side of the bridge, both east and west bound from May 15th – June 29th and September 19th – December 22nd.
The work to be performed includes:
- Partial depth hydro-demolition and replacement of the concrete roadway deck from curb to curb
- Full depth demolition and replacement of reinforced concrete joint headers and installation of new joint seals at some piers
- Installation of UHPC link slabs at some piers
- Removal of existing steel bearings and replacement with new elastomeric bearings at all piers
- Repairs to the reinforced concrete safety walks/curbs
- Steel bridge railing modifications/repairs
- Concrete repairs to the pre-stressed concrete superstructure, reinforced concrete pier caps and reinforced concrete piers
- Other miscellaneous repairs/work items
The approximate cost of construction for the Deck Repair project is $8,127, 775.00.
Overweight Vehicle Restriction: ALL vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight OVER 80,000 pounds will be prohibited from crossing on the Newport Pell Bridge from May 15, 2017- December 22, 2017.
- Overwide Vehicle Restriction: ALL vehicles which have a Width EXCEEDING 8″6″ will be prohibited from crossing on the Newport Pell Bridge from May 15-June 29, 2017 and September 19-December 22, 2017.
- Lane Closures: Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on the Newport side of the bridge, both east and west bound from May 15-June 29, 2017 and September 19-December 22, 2017. Other lane closures may be instituted throughout the entire duration of the project from May 15-December 22, 2017.
- Traffic: RITBA expects there to be delays at all times throughout the project with heaviest backups during both the morning and evening rush hour (6:00am – 10:00am and 3:00pm – 6:00pm)
Wait, wait, wait just one damn minute! Didn’t they just say on April 6th that FULL REHAB PROJECT ON THE NEWPORT BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED????
