Press Release: RIDOT Marks Early Completion of the Tower Hill Road Bridge Project in North Kingstown

Representing the McKee Administration, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. joined representatives for U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, along with other state and local officials, to mark the early completion of the Tower Hill Road Bridge Project on Route 1 in North Kingstown. RIDOT used accelerated bridge construction methods to quickly replace the bridge that carried Route 1 over Route 138, a vital connection for commuters and visitors headed to destinations in South County and Newport County. The $35.8 million project finished nine months ahead of schedule.

To minimize the impact to the more than 52,000 travelers who use this busy transportation corridor daily, RIDOT built new bridge decks adjacent to the old bridge so they could be installed rapidly over two extended weekends. By using these methods, motorists on Route 1 avoided up to two years of lane closures associated with conventional construction.

"We all know how important Route 1 is to the state's summer tourism economy. This bridge is the one that just about everyone crosses on their way to South County beaches and Newport," Governor McKee said. "I want to thank RIDOT for delivering it ahead of time and on budget."

The Tower Hill Road Bridge Project was made possible by RhodeWorks, the Department's 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan. More than 100 projects valued at $3.3 billion have been awarded under the McKee Administration, including the repair or replacement of 181 bridges. In this time, RIDOT has repaired or replaced 65 bridges rated as structurally deficient, including the Tower Hill Road Bridge. New and rehabilitated bridges can be easily identified by their blue color.

"Thanks in large part to federal funding, about 52,000 travelers a day will now have a smoother, safer ride on their way to southern Rhode Island. This is yet another example of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law paying dividends for our roadway infrastructure" said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"The speedy replacement of the Tower Hill Road Bridge will support the smooth flow of traffic to and from South County," said Senator Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "Our delegation is committed to securing federal investments that modernize the Ocean State's roads and bridges."

"This was a fantastic job start to finish," Director Alviti said. "We planned, funded and executed this project to deliver the benefits of a safer bridge and smoother roads with as little disruption as possible for drivers, reaching the finish line nine months ahead of schedule."

In planning its reconstruction, RIDOT designed the new bridge to have a smaller footprint to meet today's traffic needs. Constructed in 1969, the old bridge was built larger than necessary because it was planned to be part of a future highway connection across South County that was never constructed.

The project also included repaving more than six miles of Route 1 in North Kingstown and South Kingstown. The first phase of paving was done last year, from Shermantown Road in North Kingstown to the Oliver Stedman Government Center in South Kingstown. The second segment was paved this summer after the bridge installation, from Shermantown Road to the Route 4 interchange.

Throughout the project, RIDOT coordinated its work schedules to have the least impact to the busy summer tourism season. This included completion of the two extended weekends for demolition and bridge installation prior to Memorial Day weekend. RIDOT also was able to complete each weekend operation ahead of schedule, reopening closed lanes hours ahead of time.

RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island's infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.