Temporary Bridge In East Greenwich Runs Into Structural Problems

EAST GREENWICH, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation's (RIDOT) project to replace the Division St. Bridge over Route 4 in East Greenwich has run into another problem with its temporary bridge, reported the East Greenwich News.

The temporary bridge, which runs parallel to the original bridge, has a sag in the metal arch over the Route 4 southbound lanes that was first detected in August 2020 following the pavement of the road. Work stopped and the contractor, Cardi Corporation, removed the surfacing to allow the sag to pop back into place. They recently refilled over the arch, only to find that the arch has not corrected itself.

Cardi Corp. will now be removing the surfacing once again and has been instructed to provide the state with their plans on how to continue with the project and ensure the safety of those traveling under the temporary bridge.

The $22.9 million project to replace the structurally deficient Division St. Bridge, which holds approximately 14,000 vehicles per day, began in August 2019 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2022.