No Lane Closures Planned For Cumberland Bridge Project

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — Construction is planned for the Diamond Hill bridge this coming summer, and department of transportation officials say traffic impacts aren't expected to be major. During construction, officials say all lanes are planned to remain open. The $230,000 repairs are meant to bridge the gap until more extensive renovations in 2022.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials say the bridge deficiencies were brought to light during an inspection in late February. The $230,000 project is a stopgap measure to keep the bridge operable until a larger renovation project scheduled for summer of 2022.

The repairs being made this year will be underneath the bridge, leading to possible shoulder closures on I-295 below it. RIDOT says the lack of lane closures is part of a $11.3 million project to reduce crashes and improve road safety.

"Thanks to the Governor's RhodeWorks program, we have the funds to complete the long-awaited safety improvements for Diamond Hill Road as well as address the Diamond Hill Road Bridge itself," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "We expect a year and a half to two years gap between the projects, and we'll be working hard through the design process to minimize traffic disruption when the bridge project begins. Unfortunately, we have to apply a $230,000 band-aid to this bridge now to keep it operational. It is another consequence of a legacy of poorly maintained bridges."

The three-bridge project includes Diamond Hill Road and the two other bridges on Douglas Pike that go over I-295 in Smithfield. All three are classified as structurally deficient, and their improvements are part of a larger effort to reduce the number of Rhode Island's structurally deficient bridges.