Next phase of old Sakonnet Bridge demo requires channel restrictions

Temporary closures to boaters begin Monday, March 12

Posted 3/5/18

PORTSMOUTH/TIVERTON — As part of the next phase of the old Sakonnet River Bridge demolition, the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be restricting boat travel through the …

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Next phase of old Sakonnet Bridge demo requires channel restrictions

Temporary closures to boaters begin Monday, March 12

Posted

PORTSMOUTH/TIVERTON — As part of the next phase of the old Sakonnet River Bridge demolition, the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be restricting boat travel through the river’s channel for about a month, starting Monday, March 12. 

The restrictions are needed to allow for the safe removal of the old span, according to RIDOT.

Two large barges will be anchored in the center of the navigational channel under the bridge and remain in place 24 hours a day, closing the channel to all marine traffic, RIDOT said in statement released Monday. Later this month, RIDOT intends to lower the center truss segment of the old bridge onto the barges for removal.

All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

RIDOT said it selected its closure periods during the late fall and winter months to limit the impact to boaters as much as possible.

The department began removing concrete deck segments and steel from the bridge in 2017, working from the Tiverton side of the bridge toward the Portsmouth side. 

This initial demolition contract focuses on removing the bridge's superstructure, composed of approximately 6.2 million pounds of steel and 2,700 cubic yards of concrete across 17 spans between the bridge's piers. The project is on time and on budget, with final completion scheduled for this summer.

A second contract is expected to begin in 2020 to remove all remaining concrete piers in the water.

Sakonnet River Bridge, Sakonnet Bridge

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