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January 23, 2008

Hawkins Street Bridge work done early; span to re-open

The state Department of Transportation will reopen the Hawkins Street Bridge in Providence at 2 p.m. today to car traffic -- days earlier than expected.

Last night crews completed blocking the bridge, which travels over Route 146. Blocking adds additional supports on top of the bridge’s abutments and piers. Materials were available faster than anticipated, the DOT said, and crews worked all night to reopen the span.

The DOT, which announced the work yesterday, had not expected it to be done until this Friday.

More repair work is needed to replace the beam seats – the concrete platform that the steel beams sit on to support the deck itself – before the bridge can reopen to all vehicles, the DOT said.

The Hawkins Street Bridge is now posted for use only by vehicles 3 tons and under. This restriction will last approximately 3 weeks. After this phase of construction is complete, the roadway will reopen to all vehicles.

Vehicles over 3 tons must continue to follow the detour. The route asks drivers to use Branch Avenue, make a right onto Charles Street and then make another right onto Admiral Street which will take them to Hawkins Street. This detour works in reverse as well.

The Hawkins Street Bridge repair project began last fall and is expected to be completed by fall 2009.

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 11:53 AM | Permalink

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