Cove 'Escape' Bridge To Reopen Today

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will reopen the Cove "Escape" Bridge today, Sept. 18, at approximately 9 a.m.

The bridge, which carries Hummocks Point Road over a tidal inlet in the Island Park area of Portsmouth, was closed for rehabilitation in November 2011.

Through a $2 million contract with Cardi Corp., RIDOT replaced the superstructure of the 51-year-old bridge, one of two access points that serve as evacuation routes for the Island Park area.

Residents of the area previously raised concerns about the bridge being closed during hurricane season, which runs until Nov. 1. 

Built in 1961, the bridge primarily serves local traffic and has an average daily traffic count of 2,100 vehicles per day.

The recently completed work allows RIDOT to lift all weight restrictions on the bridge. The structure’s weight limit was lowered to four tons in 2009 because of its deteriorating condition.