Proposed Improvements - Henderson Bridge was declared structurally deficient in 1996, the first year that RIDOT started keeping records. This year, thanks to the help of our Congressional delegation, RIDOT will rebuild it using an additional $54.5 million in federal funds. The total cost for this project is $88.5 million.
Known as the Red Bridge, Henderson is a 26-span steel girder structure spanning 2,000 feet over the Seekonk River. It carries 20,000 vehicles per day and connects the cities of Providence and East Providence.
The bridge was over built. RIDOT will demolish it and build a narrower structure with two lanes of traffic westbound and one lane eastbound.
The cities of Providence and East Providence collaborated to outline the attributes they wanted this project to have.
These include spaces that will benefit both commuters and those seeking recreation. The new structure will have a shared use bike path connecting the on-street bicycle networks in East Providence and Providence as well as the Blackstone River Bikeway.
By reducing the structural footprint RIDOT will decrease the percentage of structurally deficient bridge area in the state by 12 percent. The new smaller bridge will provide better access management for future development of approximately 25 acres and will decrease the need for maintenance.
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Next week, we will continue demolishing the west abutment, pile driving at the east abutment, and drainage operations on Waterfront Drive. We also plan to set the base of the temporary shoring tower at two of the piers, install the coffer dam at another, and resume bridge demolition operations over the water. |
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