RIDOT moves up Providence River pedestrian bridge schedule

THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has moved up the schedule for starting work on the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west sides of the Providence River in the city using the former piers of Interstate 195. If the schedule is adhered to, the bridge would open in early 2018. / COURTESY INFORM STUDIO
THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has moved up the schedule for starting work on the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west sides of the Providence River in the city using the former piers of Interstate 195. If the schedule is adhered to, the bridge would open in early 2018. / COURTESY INFORM STUDIO

PROVIDENCE – The process for building a pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides of the Providence River in the I-195 redevelopment district, will move forward this month, the R.I. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

The agency at the end of the month will advertise for a contractor, moving up the expected date from July.

The construction schedule, described in a recent reporting by the DOT, would have preliminary work beginning in the fall. Construction of the $13.2 million bridge project is expected to span two seasons, with completion anticipated in early 2018.

The state agency also is preparing design plans for a second contract that would involve development of new parks at the landing of the bridge on either side of the river, according to a DOT news release.

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Officials with the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, which is trying to market the available acreage in Providence to developers, cheered the news. In a statement, Commission Executive Director Peter McNally said he was “thrilled.”

“The bridge is an important economic development infrastructure initiative, since it joins new research and design facilities to educational institutions and provides a direct connection that links the new Providence Innovation and Design District,” he said.

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