Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tools

Weight Limit Lowered on Sakonnet River Bridge; Is Newport Tourism in Jeopardy?

John Eagan

Story Created: Jun 19, 2008 at 5:22 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2008 at 6:09 PM EDT

Rhode Island's DOT is putting more and more weight restrictions on the state's deteriorating bridges.  One of the latest is the Sakonnet River Bridge.

The Bridge connects Tiverton and Portsmouth and is more than 50 years old.  It is rusting and deteriorating so quickly that the RI DOT keeps lowering the allowed weight.  First it was 22 tons, now it is 18 tons. 
    
It makes you wonder, how safe is the span?  And now, this latest restriction is being talked about as something that could cripple the summer tourism business in Newport.

As the weight allowance goes down, costs of shipping products and people go up.  Five thousand motor coach tour buses usually hit up Newport sites each year.  Now they'll have to be detoured, adding miles and minutes to the trip.  Some may not even make the trip because of the extra costs.  Even food deliveries from Boston and New Bedford are expected to feel the pinch.

ABC 6 reporter Parker Gavigan has the story...

Monday, Jun 23 at 11:28 AM Clay Commons wrote ...

The change of route for the Tiverton / lLittle Compton bus is being reported as a "detour". If you would look at the map, you will see that this is not a detour, but a termination of service to those towns. I suggested to RIPTA that they send a smaller bus over the Sakonnet River bridge to collect the few passengers that use the service. No response to date. But it would be nice if you called a spade a spade, rather than just reading RIPTA's press release. Clay Commons Portsmouth, RI

4637264
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Jun 20 at 1:28 PM Christine in Portsmouth wrote ...

I feel that something needs to be done to make the bridge safe for travelers as soon as possible. As for myself, family, and friends who commute over the bridge several times a day, I fear for their safety.

4592204
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

Please post your full name and city on comments.

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

ABC 6 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

More Good Stuff
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
See more local news for your community
Warwick | Cranston | South East Massachusetts | Newport | Bristol | East Greenwich | Providence |
Local Guides
 Attleboro
 Central Falls
 Coventry
 Cranston
 Cumberland
 East Greenwich
 East Providence
 Fall River
 Foxboro
 Franklin
 Johnston
 Milford
 Newport
 North Attleboro
 North Dartmouth
 North Kingstown
 Norton
 Pawtucket
 Providence
 Taunton
 Tiverton
 Walpole
 Warwick
 West Warwick
 Woonsocket

Online Poll

Do You Think Increased Tax Revenue Means RI's Economy is Turning Around?

  • No, it's probably from some stealth tax HIKE that we don't know about.
  • Yes, things have been awful for awhile, and they're finally getting better.

On Demand

More On Demand

AP Video