The Simmonsville Avenue Bridge, which was built back in 1948, isn’t falling down, but it’s really old and needs to be replaced.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Joseph Polisena, District 1 Councilman Richard J. DelFino III and officials of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) made a joint announcement that the Simmonsville Avenue Bridge will be completely replaced beginning with construction on Monday, July 9.
Paul E. Schofield, Project Engineer and Steve Drager, Construction Area Engineer with RIDOT, said the expected completion date is mid-November, weather permitting, and that the Simmonsville Bridge and surrounding sidewalks will also be completely replaced.
Which means the Simmonsville Bridge will be closed to local traffic beginning July 9 and continuing until the project is completed.
However, Drager – who will be RIDOT’s on-scene official – told Polisena, DelFino and Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, Patrolman Chuck Psilopoulos and Fire Chief Peter Lamb: “We are expecting construction to continue without a stoppage.”
Drager also announced in a meeting held last week at Johnston Town Hall, that “this will be an accelerated project meaning “it usually takes 18 months to completely replace a bridge. This project is expected to take four or five months and again, it’s all dependent upon the weather.”
Schofield and Drager, along with several RIDOT colleagues, told Polisena and Johnston officials “because of extensive deterioration to concrete and steel reinforcements, the 70-year old bridge – which is actually state property – cannot be repaired and must be closed for replacement.
Local traffic will be permitted on either side of the Simmonsville Avenue up to the bridge, which carries an estimated 6,600 vehicles per day over Simons Brook between Russo Drive and Randall Street.
Drager suggested that detouring traffic should use Plainfield Pike and Atwood Avenue and also noted that most construction activities are planned during daytime hours to limiting possible impacts to local businesses and area residents. Once the new bridge opens, the current weight limit will be lifted.
“Councilman DelFino and I are very, very happy that the Simmonsville Bridge will be completely replaced and will not cost the taxpayers in Johnston a dime,” said Polisena. “This is a state operated project and will also include new signage, striping, sidewalks and bridge railings.”
Perhaps even more important, as the Mayor wanted it known: “RIDOT will replace a town water line under the bridge.”
Nicole Pope, Director of Government and Legislative Affairs at RIDOT, announced during last week’s meeting that “replacement of the Simmonsville Bridge is being made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT’s ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring the state’s transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair promote economic development and create jobs.”
Polisena, while also speaking on behalf of DelFino, added: “The fact that the Simmonsville Bridge will be completely replaced – and not just repaired – is great news for all the residents of Johnston, especially those who live in District I. The bridge has been deteriorating through the years thus creating an ongoing safety issue. Now, we can put that aside hopefully construction will go as planned and we’ll have a new bridge by mid-November.”
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