NORTH SMITHFIELD – On Wednesday night, March 30, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., the Rhode Island Department of Transportation will temporarily close Great Road at the Union Village Railroad Bridge in North Smithfield to install a structure that will carry utilities over the railroad corridor.
During the closure, traffic will follow a signed detour using Great Road/Route 146A, Route 146 and Pound Hill Road.
The closure is part of RIDOT’s ongoing $5.2 million project to completely replace the 90-year-old structurally deficient bridge. RIDOT finished construction on half of the bridge in December, removing a weight limit for heavy trucks. The single-lane alternating traffic pattern, controlled by temporary traffic signals, will last until summer 2022 when RIDOT expects to complete work on the other half of the bridge. The entire project is expected to be finished in summer 2023.
According to a release from RIDOT, the agency is using accelerated bridge construction methods, with pre-cast concrete bridge components, to shorten the duration of construction by several months as compared to conventional construction methods.
The bridge carries Great Road over the Providence & Worcester rail line between Lapre Road and Meadowbrook Drive. It reportedly carries 13,200 vehicles per day and is a popular route for travel to and from neighboring Woonsocket.
RIDOT notes that all construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The Union Village Railroad Bridge Project was made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT’s ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks
As I drive by this bridge everyday I am wounding where are all the workers. This is why a very small bridge takes 4 years to fix. Gotta love unions. Don’t kill the job.