The old ‘broken bridge’ spanning the upper Kickemuit River just south of Child Street has been gone for more than 80 years. But a plan to build a replacement is in its final permitting stages and once built, the bridge will be part of what town officials hope will be a new bike path extension all the way from Long Lane to the East Bay Bike Path in downtown Warren.

The project, with associated sidewalk and curbing work included, is expected to cost $4.9 million and will be paid for by the state DOT’s Safe Routes to School program and Federal Highway Administration. No town funding will be used on the project, according to DOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin.

Town and state DOT officials have been planning for the bridge’s replacement for years, but it’s been gone for much longer. Built in the 1850s of steel and granite, the bridge was destroyed by the Hurricane of 1938.

Its replacement will be decidedly more advanced. Made of carbon fiber and other lightweight composite materials, it will be built off-site in several modular pieces and assembled like “a sophisticated Lego,” Warren Town Planner Bob Rulli said.

Though such bridges are widely used in Europe, there are few in the States and the bridge will be the first carbon fiber bridge in Rhode Island. Town officials, who took DOT brass on a tour of area composites operations last year, hope that when the project goes out to bid local builders will be given preference. With the area’s deep boat-building and composites talent, he said, it would be a “great showcase” for what Rhode Islanders are capable of.

“Hopefully there will be some input from above (within DOT) that suggests that it would certainly be nice to keep it local,” he said. Warren is trying to champion the local marine trades, “and this is indicative of that.”

A host of state and federal assents and permits are required, and the state Coastal Resources Management Council, and requires a variance from setback requirements, and some state wetlands requirements. What next?

Once the bridge is built, town officials hope to use it to connect bicycle and pedestrian access to the East Bay Bike Path. A path off the bridge’s western terminus will run west parallel to Libby Lane, in-between Warren Housing Authority property and a subdivision behind the Parker Mill. Once it hits Metacom Avenue, a traffic light will probably be used to get bikers and walkers across the busy road. From there, an old railway easement runs all the way from the north side of Franklin Street, terminating at the East Bay Bike Path.

While it may take a few years to see that portion of the project through, Mr. Rulli said Warren officials are committed to seeing the pathway through.

“We’re very interested in that,” he said.

Note: CRMC officials plan to hold a hearing on the project, and those who want to give testimony or speak about it publicly should contact the CRMC by Friday, Aug. 23. Contact the CRMC (4012-783-3370) and provide your name, address, email and contact phone number.