RITBA: Mt. Hope Bridge work will last two years

Authority looking to minimize traffic disruptions, noise

Jim McGaw
Posted 8/24/16

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Drivers who recently recovered from traffic delays due to work on the Mt. Hope Bridge can expect more of the same starting next month, when a major repair job begins.

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RITBA: Mt. Hope Bridge work will last two years

Authority looking to minimize traffic disruptions, noise

Posted

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Drivers who recently recovered from traffic delays due to work on the Mt. Hope Bridge can expect more of the same starting next month, when a major repair job begins that could last for the next two and a half years.

The Portsmouth Town Council on Monday heard a presentation from the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) that detailed a major refit of the bridge beginning in mid-September. The Bristol Town Council is expected to hear a simliar presentation on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

While there will be lane closures and traffic delays, RITBA vows to minimize the work’s impact on motorists and neighbors. “We’ve thought long and hard about how to address traffic (and noise) concerns,” said Buddy Croft, RITBA’s executive director.

The 87-year-old span, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was the largest suspension bridge in New England at the time of construction. RITBA wants to extend the life of the bridge because it says the cost of replacing it — and the resulting disruption — would be astronomical.

“We think we have a tremendous obligation to the people of Portsmouth and Bristol that not only is that bridge safe, but it continues to be a crown jewel in the state,” said Mr. Croft.

Eric Offenberg, director of engineering for RITBA, pointed out that 6 million vehicles cross the two-lane span annually, and that the steel bridge sits in salt water. “There is a lot of wear and tear on the bridge,” said Mr. Offenberg. “Our goal is to keep the bridge in great shape.”

RITBA’s Board of Directors recently voted to approve a 10-year, $223 million capital plan to maintain the safety of the four bridges under the Authority’s jurisdiction, including Mt. Hope and Sakonnet River bridges. The total cost, including bond repayment, will be funded through ongoing toll revenue and RITBA’s annual share of the state gasoline tax (3.5 cents per gallon). 

$50 million-plus job

Of the budgeted amount, 23 percent is going toward Mt. Hope Bridge. “We’re going to spend more than $50 million in the next 10 years,” said Mr. Offenberg.

Most of the work involves steel superstructure repairs and retrofits, bridge deck repairs to avoid a complete deck replacement, and main cable rehabilitation and dehumidification. “There’s going to be quite a bit of work happening this fall, then there will be the painting operation,” said Mr. Offenberg.

Work begins with RITBA repairing potholes and the delaminated concrete overlay on the bridge deck. This job will take place again in late 2017, and as needed after that. It will require lane closures, but this time RITBA won’t be doing its own traffic control.

“We’re going to have the Portsmouth Police be the lead on all the traffic details,” said Mr. Offenberg. 

The work is expected to be done during the day, but after the morning and before the evening rush hours, he said.

RITBA will also replace the south approach slab from the Boyd’s Lane/Bristol Ferry Road intersection to the bridge on the Portsmouth side. This job is expected to be performed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. over 10 to 15 nights, with the area reduced to single lane during that time. No work will take place on Friday or Saturday nights, Mr. Offenberg said.

Working from a barge, contractors will also repair cracks and chips mainly on the north face of the anchorage concrete wall on the Portsmouth side, with some work on the south face as well. (The east and west faces were previously repaired.)

RITBA will also test three different concrete and asphalt overlay materials in preparation for a future overlay project. The work will be done overnight and RITBA will be monitoring the results to select the best material.

Paint, paint, paint

After that work is complete, RITBA will undergo painting and steel repair on the south approach. RITBA recently finished similar work to the north approach on the Bristol side.

In a job expected to take two years, everything will be blasted to bare metal before painting, and steel will be repaired and rivets replaced as necessary. Everything that’s blasted away will be contained so it doesn’t go into the water or in neighborhoods, according to RITBA.

While noise can’t be avoided, Mr. Offenberg said jackhammering and excavation work will be carried out in the morning and during the cooler months when most residents will have their windows closed. “We specifically avoided the summer season,” he said.

Alternate routes?

Mr. Offenberg said the exact timetable of construction work is always dependent on the weather. A schedule will be posted on the RITBA website, however, so motorists can get a head’s up in case they want to seek alternate routes, he said.

Portsmouth resident John Vitkevich called the span “a very special bridge” and said he’s glad RITBA keeps doing regular upkeep on the structure to prolong its life. 

“Think about if we had to replace it — where would it go?” said Mr. Vitkevich, who reminded everyone that things could be much worse for those drivers who may be inconvenienced by the improvements. In 1984, he noted, Mt. Hope Bridge was shut down completely for four months while improvements were made.

He urged drivers to seek alternate routes during the next two years. “Let’s try to get some of the traffic off the bridge,” said Mr. Vitkevich.

Mt. Hope Bridge, RITBA, Bristol Town Council, Portsmouth Town Council

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