After years of planning, construction of a new Sakonnet River Bridge is now in full force. The bridge will replace its aging sibling and connect Portsmouth and Tiverton via Route 24.
R.I. Department of Transportation Deputy Chief Engineer Frank Corrao recently took some time to discuss the project.
PBN: Where does the work on the project stand today?
CORRAO: The Sakonnet River Bridge project was awarded in April 2009 to the Cardi Corp., and after two years of construction, passers-by can now see the new bridge taking shape. Some of the noteworthy accomplishments include:
All underground foundation work for the bridge is complete, including the installation of approximately 52,000 linear feet (about 10 miles) of H-piles on land for piers 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9, and the installation of approximately 4800 linear feet (just under 1 mile) of six-foot diameter pipe piles below the water for piers 4, 5 and 6.
The piers on land are approximately 70 percent complete and the piers in the water are about 40 percent complete.
All the tub girders have been delivered to the project. They arrived by barges or land transport. The setting of the tub girders will continue throughout this construction season.
Construction activity will continue with the ultimate goal of having all traffic on the new bridge by May 2012. This will re-establish a key link to the Aquidneck Island area for commercial and larger recreational vehicle users. The overall completion of the project, which will include final road improvements and landscaping, is scheduled for one year later in May 2013.
PBN: Is the work still on time and on budget?
CORRAO: We face several challenges when undertaking a project as large and complex as the replacement of the Sakonnet River Bridge. The project is trending behind schedule at this time; however, the contractor has committed the resources to make up the lost time before the end of this year. At this time, project costs are on budget.
PBN: What makes the new bridge “bike friendly”?
CORRAO: The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission was a strong advocate for a structure that would not only serve the motoring public, but also would provide a connection between the mainland and Aquidneck Island for pedestrians and bicyclists. As a result, the new Sakonnet River Bridge includes a 13-foot-wide multi-use path on the north side of the new bridge. Path users will be treated to a spectacular view up the Sakonnet River.
PBN: The Sakonnet River Bridge comes when DOT is also working on the Pawtucket River Bridge. Besides being in different locations, how is the Sakonnet project different, if at all?
CORRAO: Aside from the obvious physical size and aesthetic differences, the projects, in the eyes of the Department, are the same. Our goal remains to provide the highest-quality construction through high-grade materials and workmanship. The challenge is to accomplish our goal while remaining sensitive to the needs of the community, the motoring public, and natural resources that co-exist adjacent to the projects.
One similarity that warrants mentioning is the shortened length of each bridge. By building up the embankments on each side of the river at both sites, the department has reduced the overall spans of the new bridges. These changes will save the State millions of dollars in construction and future maintenance costs.
PBN: Any lessons learned so far from the Sakonnet River Bridge that the DOT may apply to future bridge projects.
CORRAO: We must continue to keep reaching out to stakeholders so that everyone can be kept informed of construction activity such as road closures and detours. A pilot program was created to issue weekly project updates and post them on our website, www.dot.ri.gov. Information is being sent out to community partners such as town and public safety officials, and local businesses. This also is being done on the Pawtucket River Bridge project and on the Union Ave Bridge project in Providence.
