Pell Barrier Construction Delays Will Worsen Next Week as Center Lanes Close

Since construction on the new permanent concrete barrier on the Claiborne Pell Bridge began on March 16, there has been inevitable, but manageable, traffic during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Starting next week, delays will worsen as both center lanes spanning the entire bridge will be closed for the installation of the new median barrier system.

The Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority said it is “expecting extended delays during the morning and evening commute” and motorists are advised to plan ahead.

The median barrier installation progress can be followed on RITBA’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, and by visiting RITBA.org.

Aetna Bridge Company won the $5.9 million contract to erect the permanent barrier, which will consist of more than 3,600 individual linked concrete sections that will be made specifically for the project. Similar to concrete medians used for shifting HOV and carpool lanes, the movable design offers both flexibility and safety.

The decision to install a permanent concrete came after sustained and strong lobbying by numerous residents calling for improved safety measures on the bridge, including the group Citizens United for Bridge Safety, which has led a concerted effort to make it clear that the median is needed to prevent more head-on collisions and fatalities. The bridge has been the scene of countless head-on collisions over the years, notably last winter, when an elderly driver crossed the center line and crashed into a 25-year-old Warwick man head on. The elderly man died and the Warwick man was seriously injured.

There have been three fatalities on the bridge in the last three years.

The turnpike authority installed a temporary median earlier this year, made up of orange poles that can’t prevent collisions but were designed to serve as a warning to drivers who might be crossing the line.

Photo Courtesy: Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority