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August 3, 2007

Authority says Pell and Mt. Hope bridges safe

PROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority says its two bridges -- the Pell Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge -- are safe.

David Darlington, chairman of the authority, says both bridges are in very good shape.

The Pell Bridge -- formerly called the Newport Bridge and opened in 1969 -- connects Jamestown and Newport, on Aquidneck Island, while the Mount Hope Bridge -- opened in 1929 -- spans the waters between Bristol and Portsmouth, on the northern end of Aquidneck.

He made his comments today amid concern about bridge safety after a bridge in Minneapolis collapsed this week, killing several people.

Peter Janaros is the authority's director of engineering. He says the two bridges are inspected every year -- twice as frequently as federal regulations call for -- because they are so large, because safety is paramount and because of their importance to the economy of the state. He says both bridges are in good condition.

Bridge maintenance and repairs are paid for through tolls.

-- The Associated Press, with projo.com reports

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:45 PM | Permalink

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