DOT closes Westerly bridge for two months

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Transportation closed the Weekapaug Bridge on Atlantic Avenue in Westerly last week. It will remain closed for approximately two months while DOT replaces the 75-year-old structure.
Through a $2.2 million contract with Cardi Corp., DOT said it will use “accelerated bridge-construction methods” to significantly shorten the time to replace the bridge. DOT said in a statement that a similar approach was used last year to rebuild the Round Top Bridge in Burrillville, which was completed in just 41 days.
Using conventional construction methods, the Westerly bridge likely would have been closed for a full year.
During the closure period this fall, RIDOT will establish a signed detour using Route 1A (Shore Road), Winnapaug Road and Weekapaug Road. A detour map is available on RIDOT’s website, www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/detourmaps.asp.
While RIDOT estimates the bridge will reopen to traffic later this fall, construction will continue with periodic lane closures possible until final completion in Spring 2012. &#8226