RIDOT To Replace North Smithfield's Union Village Railroad Bridge

SMITHFIELD, RI—The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced on Monday that it will begin pre-construction activities for the replacement of the Union Village Railroad Bridge in North Smithfield.

According to a RIDOT press release, the bridge, which carries Great Road over the Providence & Worcester rail line between Lapre Road and Meadowbrook Drive in North Smithfield, is 89 years old and structurally deficient. It carries 17,400 vehicles per day and is a popular route to and from Woonsocket.

The replacement of the Union Village Railroad Bridge will cost $5.2 million and will be done in phases. The RIDOT expects the project to be completed in late 2022 or early 2023.

"RIDOT expects to begin demolition of the old bridge in the near future, pending finalization of permits with the freight rail operator and weather," says the press release. "Any traffic pattern changes will be announced well in advance."

"RIDOT will demolish and replace the west side of the bridge first, then shift traffic onto the newly built portion so it can demolish and replace the eastern side of the bridge," it continues.

The Union Village Railroad Bridge Project was made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's commitment to modernizing and repairing Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure and promoting economic development.

Updates on changes to the construction project schedule and scope can be found at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks. Information on temporary lane closures and travel advisories related to the project will be available at www.ridot.net/traveladvisories