DOT outlines plans for Cranston’s Park Ave. Bridge

Officials are hoping a short term fix for Cranston’s Park Avenue Bridge will have it back open to traffic in 30 days.

The Managing Bridge Engineer at the Rhode Island Department of Transpiration, David Fish, tells ABC 6 News that the plan is to remove the deteriorating deck and install a new wooden one.

“We’re doing this so we can re-deck the bridge as quickly as possible,” said Fish.

Cranston residents who frequent the bridge have some mixed opinions on the timeline to get that work done.

“I think even that is too long. I mean a week eh, but 30 days that’s a whole month,” said John Traverson.

“I think it needs to be closed the last few times I drove over it I could see the big pothole opening at the end,” said Russell Berrigan. “I wish it took only a week but that’s better than six months.”

Even with the short term repairs the bridge will still be deemed structurally deficient. Fish says that’s because of the steel supporting the structure.

“What it means is that there are areas on the bridge or elements on the bridge that need to be looked at on a more frequent basis. And, we do that for this particular bridge every 12 months,” said Fish.

He emphasizes that the bridge will be safe once repairs are complete. He adds that the wooden fix could last 15 year.

“We’re already working on the plans to get a replacement super structure out there so when that new structure is put on top of the existing abutments it won’t be weight restricted and the bridge will be open to all types of traffic,” said Fish.

Fish says he hopes to have a contractor for the permanent fix hired within the next 12 months.

(C) WLNE 2015