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December 19, 2007

DOT: Blocked Frenchtown Road a 'one-time' problem

Commuters expecting to take Frenchtown Road (Route 402) in East Greenwich and North Kingstown this morning may have been confused when they found the section closed east of Route 4.

But Deputy Chief Engineer Frank Corrao at the Department of Transportation says it was a one-time problem that shouldn’t happen again.

The DOT is working on setting steel for a new bridge. Work is being done from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. through Friday. But this morning, the work hadn’t completed on time, and Frenchtown Road remained closed through some people’s morning commute.

“The first night is usually the most difficult night,” Corrao said. The project requires eight steel beams in all; but at least two must be completed before cars can pass safely.

Now that two beams have been set, Corrao said, even if another problem should arise, the work can be put on hold until after the morning commute.

See a map of the bridge project at the DOT's Web site.

Corrao said the East Greenwich and North Kingstown school districts were notified and school buses were rerouted, and that ample signage helped with commuters going to work at Quonset.

The work should be finished by Saturday morning. In the meantime, the initial closures remain in effect: 9 p.m. through 5 a.m.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 12:11 PM | Permalink

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