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August 8, 2006

Underwater blasts today for old Jamestown Bridge

Motorists and boaters could spend some time idling near the old Jamestown Bridge today as demolition work continues on the bridge.

A series of underwater explosions is planned between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.

Instead of closing the nearby Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge altogether for half-hour periods, as initially planned, state troopers plan to block bridge traffic by "traveling very slowly in all lanes of travel and momentarily clearing traffic from the bridge," the DOT said in a statement.

The Coast Guard plans to set a 3,000-foot safety zone on either side of the bridge during the detonations.

The underwater explosions will involve two detonations on the North Kingstown side of Narragansett Bay. The explosives will remove two piers to the mud line, about 15 feet deep, according to the DOT.

The explosions will not be as spectacular as the above-water detonations earlier in the year , the DOT said.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 7:08 AM | Permalink

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