Tiverton Boat Ramp Proposed Underneath New Sakonnet Bridge

The only viable public boat ramp in Tiverton is far south at . However, Town Administrator Jim Goncalo reports there is a proposal from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to build a boat launch ramp underneath the new Sakonnet River Bridge once its completed.

Workers on the bridge construction are trying to complete the bridge this year, but , it looks like it may not open in late 2012 or early 2013.

DOT spokesman Bryan Lucier recently said the ramp is part of the bridge replacement project. Parking will be provided across the street on Riverside Drive, with some handicapped parking spots at the ramp. In addition, there will be a handicapped-accessible fishing pier built at the boat ramp site.

Lucier said the ramp was designed using 18-foot-wide concrete panels and will accommodate a 12-foot-wide ramp and an adjacent concrete ramp to the floating dock. The sidewalks around the fishing pier will vary in size from 6 feet to 10 feet.

Goncalo said on Tuesday he thinks the ramp is a great idea and initially the state indicated that they would build it, own it and wanted Tiverton to maintain it.

He said maintenance included pulling the floats in winter, putting them back in the spring (which he said Tiverton's not equipped for), providing any repairs they may need, the cost of lighting the area, picking up trash and probably striping the parking lot, among other tasks. Goncalo said the Sakonnet River Bridge Committee recommended to the Town Council that Tiverton will not accept that responsibility from the state.

Goncalo said he awaits the new proposal from DOT so he can bring it back to the committee.