Speaker Mattiello questions closure of Park Ave Bridge
By News Staff
House Speaker Mattiello is calling for an investigation into why the heavily travelled Park Avenue Bridge in Cranston was suddenly shut down.
The Department of Transportation closed the Park Avenue Bridge this afternoon after an inspection found significant deterioration on the deck of the wooden bridge.
A spokesman for the Speaker tells ABC6 News that Mattiello wants to know how a bridge that was supposedly inspected nine months ago could suddenly be such a danger to the public that it needs to be closed immediately.
In a statement, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said he supports Speaker Mattiello’s call for investigation of the closure:
“In the meantime, Park Avenue remains a primary traffic artery in Cranston and my priority is to the Cranston residents and the numerous surrounding businesses who are severely inconvenienced.” stated Mayor Fung
“Our City is greatly impacted by this sudden closure and I am urging the Governor and RIDOT to work as expediently as possible to repair, including investigating any temporary measures that would allow passenger vehicle traffic to cross in the interim, and then fully re-open this bridge to all traffic as soon as possible.” said Mayor Fung.
Detours are now in place. For more information on the closure and the detours, click here.
The bridge remains open for pedestrians and cyclists.
© WLNE-TV 2015
