RIDOT completes bridge inspections, 28 in critical condition

ABC6 News
Park Avenue Bridge

By News Staff

Reporting by Rebecca Turco

rturco@abc6.com

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has finished inspecting Rhode Island’s worst bridges, saying that dozens are in critical condition.

Bridge improvements are expected to take some time, part of a long-term plan. 28 bridges were recommended for immediate action, including the Pawtucket Avenue Bridge in East Providence, and the Mineral Spring Avenue Bridge in Pawtucket.

Inspections have also led to minor repairs at more than two dozen structures. The DOT began the inspections back in May after four separate bridge issues had been reported within the first eight weeks of 2015.

"What we’re doing is out of an abundance of caution here. Taking measures to make sure that these critical findings do not turn into safety problems," says Peter Alviti Jr. of the RIDOT.

One out of every five bridges in the state is structurally deficient.

The full list of the 28 bridges that are in "critical condition" are:

  1. Henderson Bridge – East Providence/Providence
  2. Mussey Brook Bridge – Lincoln
  3. Leigh Road Southbound – Cumberland
  4. Blanchard Saw Mill Bridge – Scituate
  5. Wolf Spider Bridge – Smithfield
  6. Hartford Pike Bridge – Scituate
  7. Victory Highway Bridge – West Greenwich
  8. Kendrick Avenue Pedestrian Bridge – Woonsocket
  9. Red Brook Bridge – West Warwick
  10. Mineral Spring Avenue Bridge – Pawtucket
  11. Leigh Road Northbound – Cumberland
  12. Cole Street Railroad Bridge – Pawtucket
  13. Route 3 (Main Street) Bridge – Hopkinton
  14. Rockland Bridge – Scituate
  15. McCormick Quarry Bridge – East Providence
  16. Mendon Road Bridge – Cumberland
  17. Clyde Bridge – West Warwick
  18. Hunts Mills Bridge – East Providence
  19. Scott Road Northbound Bridge – Cumberland
  20. Scott Road Southbound Bridge – Cumberland
  21. Chapman Pond Bridge – Westerly
  22. Farnum Pike Bridge – North Smithfield
  23. Pawtucket Avenue Bridge – East Providence
  24. Oaklawn Avenue Bridge – Cranston
  25. Manville Bridge – Lincoln/Cumberland
  26. Oaklawn Avenue Railroad Bridge – Cranston
  27. Park Avenue Railroad Bridge – Cranston
  28. Hope Bridge – Lincoln

In just the past few weeks, in addition to the inspection, crews also found two bridges needing emergency attention in Richmond and North Kingstown.

Officials hope legislators approve their long-term funding plan at the star of the session.

"As we focus on rebuilding our infrastructure, our top priority is keeping Rhode Islanders safe," said Governor Gina M. Raimondo in a statement.

© WLNE-TV 2015

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