Newman Avenue in East Providence closes for bridge repair

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced upcoming closures of Route 152, Newman Avenue as part of the Newman Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.

The first closure of Newman Avenue, from Barney Street to the Massachusetts state line, is scheduled to last for four days, beginning on Monday, March 20.

The structurally-deficient Newman Avenue Bridge carries approximately 9,000 vehicles per day on Newman Avenue over the 10 Mile River. Built in 1934, the bridge has deteriorated to a point that is beyond the scope of repair or rehabilitation. Through a $4.7 million, two-year construction contract with John Rocchio Corporation, $2.6 million of which represents the cost of construction, the Department will replace the bridge using conventional construction methods.

During the first closure period, from March 20-March 23, RIDOT will install barrier, signing and striping, and add a temporary traffic signal for a new alternating one-way traffic pattern that will be used throughout the duration of the project, currently slated for completion in Spring 2019.

During closure periods, motorists are advised to follow the recommended detour using the turn-by-turn directions described below. Local access will be maintained. Get detour maps at www.ridot.net/detourmaps.

Newman Avenue Detours

Eastbound:

Follow Route 1A/Pawtucket Avenue south; Stay left for Route 114A/Pleasant Street; Pleasant Street becomes Fall River Avenue; Turn left onto Route 44/ Taunton Avenue; Turn left onto Arcade Avenue; Return to Newman Avenue

Westbound:

Follow Arcade Avenue south; Turn right onto Route 44/Taunton Avenue; Turn right onto Route 114A/Fall River Avenue; Fall River Avenue becomes Pleasant Street; Stay right for Route 1A/Pawtucket Avenue; Return to Newman Avenue

The second closure, anticipated to begin approximately one week after the completion of the first, will start the demolition process, when crews will work to demolish the north side of the bridge. This process should take about two days. Later this year, RIDOT plans to have another short-term closure to install the new concrete beams. This will be followed by paving of the first half of the bridge, and then putting traffic on the new structure.

During the 2018 construction season, the Department plans to continue the process on the second half of the bridge, with demolition, concrete beam placement and paving, prior to opening the new Newman Avenue Bridge completely to traffic. This will be followed by resurfacing of approximately ¼ mile of Newman Avenue on either side of the new structure.

All dates are weather-dependent and subject to change. To sign up for weekly updates on this or other RIDOT projects around the state, contact help@ridot.net. Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions.