NEWS

Park Avenue railroad bridge closure still set for May

By HERALD STAFF
Posted 4/28/21

By HERALD STAFF A roughly four-month closure of the Park Avenue railroad bridge remains on track to begin in May, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, while an initial overnight closure was set to begin at 8 p.m. on April 29 as

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NEWS

Park Avenue railroad bridge closure still set for May

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A roughly four-month closure of the Park Avenue railroad bridge remains on track to begin in May, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, while an initial overnight closure was set to begin at 8 p.m. on April 29 as crews construct a temporary utility bridge at the site.

This week’s overnight closure was due to continue until 6 a.m. on April 30, an announcement from RIDOT states. The detour route – which will also be utilized once full closure begins – utilizes Wellington and Elmwood avenues, adding an estimated six to 10 minutes to travel times.

During this week’s overnight closure, RIDOT “will build a temporary utility bridge to carry gas, water and fiberoptic lines over the railroad line while the bridge is replaced,” according to the announcement.

“A full closure of the bridge – lasting about four months for its demolition and reconstruction – is scheduled to begin next month,” it continues. “RIDOT will announce the precise closure date well in advance. The same detour being used this week for the overnight closure will be used during the full closure. Additionally, RIPTA will run a free shuttle around the bridge when it is fully closed.”

The railroad bridge, which carries Park Avenue over train tracks between Elmwood and Wellington avenues, is roughly 115 years old and has been deemed structurally deficient. It carries an estimated 15,000 vehicles a day along Cranston’s primary east-west corridor. The replacement of the bridge, part of the RhodeWorks program, will cost an estimated $11.7 million.

CLOSURE COMING:

Plans for a roughly four-month closure of the Park Avenue railroad bridge starting in May remain on schedule, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. (Herald file photo)

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