RITBA Announces Monumental Project for Newport Pell Bridge

JAMESTOWN, R.I. – The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
(RITBA) announced today that it will begin a significant structural rehabilitation
project on the Newport Pell Bridge. As an iconic and vital asset to the State of
Rhode Island, it is incumbent upon RITBA to maintain and preserve the bridge to
extend its life. To do so, The Authority will undergo a major roadway deck project
as part of its ongoing Ten-Year Capital Plan. This will be a multi-phase project
which will take place over a six to eight-year period. The first phase will focus on
the bridge’s east approach (Newport side) covering about 2,000 feet of the
11,247-foot bridge. The first phase will consist of partial depth hydro-demolition
and replacement of the concrete roadway deck from curb to curb. It will also include
removal of the existing steel bearings from the bridge’s original construction in
1969 and replace them with new and modern elastomeric bearings. Other project
components are described on the attached Fact Sheet. The project work has been
sequenced to minimize traffic problems during the high volume peak summer season.
The initial work will begin the week of May 15 and will continue until the end of
June. This work will require permanent lane closures, so there will be single travel
lanes in each direction. During July and August work will be performed from
underneath the bridge using barges, as a result, there will not be any permanent
lane closures during these months. Starting September 19 the above deck work will
commence again and will continue through December 2017. This stage will again
require single travel lanes in each direction. There will be no lane closures on
Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The project will also require prohibiting
overwide vehicles with a width exceeding 8 feet 6 inches from crossing the bridge
from May 15 through the end of June as well as September through December 2017.
Overweight vehicles with Gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 80,000 pounds will be
prohibited from crossing from May 15 through December. Rhode Island State Police
presence will be increased during the project, strictly enforcing this ban and
reduced speed restrictions for all vehicles. RITBA has awarded the contract for this
first phase of the deck repair project which will be completed this year. The deck
repair project will take place over a period of six to eight years. Construction
techniques, timing, and further contracts will be awarded only after a full
assessment and analysis of performance and results of this first phase. “This is a
monumental project. We have gone to great lengths to maintain and repair the roadway
deck on the Newport Pell Bridge, but at this point, the roadway deck needs partial
replacement,” stated Buddy Croft, RITBA Executive Director. “We understand this
project will impact motorists, and we are going to do our best to mitigate traffic
issues.” Our number one priority here at RITBA is the safety of motorists. It is
extremely important that we remain vigilant, maintain, and extend the life of our
bridges so the motoring public knows they are safe.” Eric Offenberg, RITBA Director
of Engineering stated, “when the bridge was constructed in 1969, the deck was
expected to last thirty years, however, due to constant attention and maintenance,
we have preserved it for nearly fifty years. This deck project is prudent in
continuing our mission to preserve the life expectancy of the bridge and keeping our
motoring public safe.” To get more information on this project and real-time
traffic, visit RITBA’s site at RITBA.org. This site provides the latest information
concerning lane closures, construction activity and traffic delays for the Newport
Pell, Jamestown Verrazzano, Mount Hope and Sakonnet River Bridges, in addition to
the RT. 138 Connector.