AASHTO Journal - RIDOT Opens New East Bay Bike Path Bridges

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation recently hosted an event celebrating the completion of the $25.9 million East Bay Bike Path Bridges project that replaced two bridges that carry a key bikeway over the Barrington and Palmer Rivers.

[Above photo by RIDOT]

The new structures – originally built in the 1880s to carry freight trains – were converted from railroad bridges to bike path bridges in the 1980s. RIDOT had to close the bridges in late 2019 due to their deteriorated and unsafe condition, the agency said.

The new bridges – each approximately 300 feet long and 14 feet wide – help link up several bike path segments to form a continuous 14.5-mile bikeway from Providence to Bristol.

RIDOT said it used prefabricated modular truss Acrow bridges to construct the two new structures as that design is easier to maintain, quicker to install, impacts the environment less, and offers a long design life. The lighter weight design of the Acrow bridges also required smaller foundational elements and piers, the agency noted.

“Today is a great day as we celebrate the restoration of these bridges for our beloved East Bay Bike Path,” noted Governor Dan McKee (D) in a statement. “We’re so appreciative of the efforts of our congressional delegation to secure the additional funding necessary to complete the project, which will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for generations to come.”

Given the popularity of the East Bay Bike Path and the importance of replacing these bridges for cyclists and pedestrians, RIDOT said it reallocated $10 million within its 10-year-plan to fund the bridges.

The agency added that Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) were “instrumental” in helping deliver $14 million in federal funds, including a $5 million federal earmark, to compete the double bridge project.

Responding to public input during the permitting process for fishing access points, RIDOT said it modified overall scope of the two-bridge project to include two fishing piers. “RIDOT was committed to working with our federal, state and local partners to advance this project and deliver it to the communities,” added Robert Rocchio, RIDOT’s interim director. “[They are] important links for the state’s oldest and most popular bike path.”