The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is informing users of the East Bay Bike Path that a 1.5 mile stretch of the path in Riverside, starting from the Squantum Association intersection to the intersection of Bullocks Point Avenue and Washington Avenue, will be closed from Tuesday, March 19, until Friday, March 22, to complete repair work on damage caused by tree roots. During this time, no detours will be available at the closure points.

Built in four phases between 1987 and 1992, the East Bay Bike Path connects India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, covering 14.5 miles and passing many state and local parks and recreation areas. It is the state’s first bike path and is very popular with recreational users and commuting cyclists heading into and out of Providence.

Although bike paths fall under the overall jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and are considered part of Rhode Island’s transportation network because they are paths for both commuting and recreational purposes, DEM is responsible for the everyday maintenance and management of several miles of bike path in this system, including the East Bay Bike Path.