Albion Bridges To Close For Railing Repairs

CUMBERLAND, RI — As bridge construction is causing lane closures and delays across the state, two more bridge closures are planned on the Cumberland/Lincoln line. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that starting in April, two bridges on School Street in Albion will be closed through the summer while crews replace and repair railings.

RIDOT says that the full closures are needed because the bridges, which are each more than 130 years old, are too narrow to safely keep open during construction. During construction, crews will preserve as much of the historic, decorative railings that feature decorative cast iron rosettes. Any areas that cannot be salvaged will be replaced with pieces that match the original.

The detour during the closures will be the same that was in place in 2015 during construction on School Street, which includes Old River Road, George Washington Highway and Mendon Road.

The closure will also close the parking lot for the Blackstone River Bikeway on School Street. Other parking lots are listed on RIDOT's website.

The bridges are scheduled to be closed from Monday, April 15 until the late summer.