Expect Route 2 Delays for Barton Corner Bridge Replacement

Expect delays next week as crews begin replacing the Barton Corner Bridge, which carries Interstate 95 over Route 2 on the Warwick/West Warwick town line and provides access to Routes 4 and the New England Institute of Technology’s East Greenwich campus.

The delays will also affect Division Street and Route 4 as the 11-day bridge replacement process begins next Monday, Aug. 18.

The state Department of Transportation said that the replacement project will use an innovative method to drastically reduce the overall impact on motorists. In all, the entire process, which entails moving the pre-assembled bridge segments into place, installing the road surfacing and connecting on-ramps, will take just 11 days.

“Traditional construction methods would have necessitated near daily lane closures on the interstate and Route 2 throughout the project,” the DOT said in a release. “While some traffic congestion and delays are expected during replacement of the Barton Corner Bridge, precautions are being taken to keep traffic and business impacts to a minimum. Travel along I-95 will be maintained at all times - as will access to all Route 2 businesses.

The bridge replacement is part of a $6.4 million contract with D’Ambra Construction. The bridge itself is currently being built in two halves on land adjacent to the highway on Route 2.

Once work is done on the bridges, each 440-ton segment will be slowly transported into place with self-propelled modular transporters similar to what was used to move the Iway bridge onto barges at Quonset Business Park in 2006 before it was floated up Narragansett Bay to Providence.

“We are proud to be working with D’Ambra to achieve this first for Rhode Island,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “As part of our interstate system, Barton Corner Bridge is an important asset. The approach taken with its replacement allows us to build a quality bridge that will last for generations to come while significantly minimizing disruption to traffic and to the surrounding community during construction.”

The Barton Corner Bridge was originally built in 1958 and was rehabbed in 1976. It carries an estimated 72,000 cars each day and provides access to Route 4 and the New England Tech campus in East Greenwich.

With four lanes plus two auxiliary lanes, the bridge’s piers and foundations are showing signs of advanced deterioration, the DOT said. A steel shoring system was installed to the existing bridge to support the bridge.

It also suffered damage to main girders that have been struck by over-height trucks. The new bridge is designed to provide eight inches of extra clearance.

The 87-foot bridge is located right by Exit 8.

Here’s a breakdown of what will be closed and when:

Monday, August 18: Closure of the on-ramp from Route 2 North to I-95 South for duration of period. During this closure, access to I-95 South from Route 2 North will be available using the current on-ramp from Route 2 South. A temporary traffic signal will be installed to safely guide motorists through this temporary traffic configuration. Partial closure of Exit 8 (I-95 South to Route 2 North). The on-ramp from Route 2 South to I-95 South and the off-ramp from I-95 North to Route 2 South (Exit 8A) will remain open at all times.

Tuesday, August 19: Closure of Route 2 (from Division Street to just south of James P. Murphy Industrial Highway) - 10 p.m. through the morning commute on Wednesday - for bridge demolition.

Friday, August 22: Closure of Route 2 (from Division Street to just south of James P. Murphy Industrial Highway) - noon through the afternoon commute - for the northbound bridge replacement. Media interested in covering the bridge move should contact Rose Amoros at 222-1362, Ext. 4450 or 261-2159 to arrange for a safe viewing location.

Saturday, August 23: Northbound traffic shifted onto the new bridge.

Sunday, August 24: Closure of Route 2 (from Division Street to just south of James P. Murphy Industrial Highway) - 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. - for bridge demolition. Route 2 will reopen with one lane of travel in each direction.

Tuesday, August 26: Closure of Route 2 (from Division Street to just south of James P. Murphy Industrial Highway) - 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. Wednesday - for the southbound bridge replacement. Media interested in covering the bridge move should contact Rose Amoros at 222-1362, Ext. 4450 or 261-2159 to arrange for a safe viewing location.

Thursday, August 28: Southbound traffic shifted onto the new bridge. Ramps reopen.

Severe weather might delay construction and updates will be posted if that happens.

The public is discouraged from spectating as the bridge is slowly moved into place. The processes can take several hours and are from the side of the highway.

The DOT said live camera feeds will be available to let people watch the event unfold.

Photo Credit: Rhode Island Department of Transportation