Smiley pumps $1.5M to Providence Hurricane Barrier repairs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Monday the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier is getting repaired.

Smiley said he’s investing $1.5 million to replace the underground hydraulics of the sewer gates at the intersection of Allens Avenue and Henderson Street.

“Repairs to the hurricane barrier are long overdue and we are committed to making sure that the repairs are completed as quickly and safely as possible,” said the Democrat.

Smiley said the Allens Avenue hurricane barrier gates protect downtown Providence from flooding in the event of a storm surge. Right now, the sewer gates have to be manually shut during heavy storms or hurricanes.

With this funding, the sewer gates will be able to close “more efficiently during an emergency.”

Construction is set to begin on July 24 and will end by mid-August.

Smiley said during this phase of construction, drivers should plan accordingly. He said southbound traffic on Allens Avenue will detour to Eddy Street, to Blackstone Street, and back to Allens Avenue.

Northbound traffic will be limited to one lane around the work zone.

The Providence Hurricane Barrier was built after the destruction of the Great Hurricane of 1938 and Hurricane Carol in 1954. Both storms caused $620 million in damage in today’s worth and left 8 feet of standing water downtown.

Drew Cattano, the barrier engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers, said that each gate is 40 feet wide and 40 feet high. They are part of a structure that extends 700 feet across the Providence River.

When the barrier is shut, the gates prevent floodwaters from entering from the bay.

The Providence Hurricane Barrier protects 280 acres of downtown.