PROVIDENCE — An inspection of the Crook Point Bascule Bridge conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation following a recent fire at the structure situated in the Seekonk River between East Providence and Providence found no structural damage, meaning potential redevelopment of the dilapidated railroad crossing remains in the cards.

RIDOT announced its findings in a press release Thursday, July 8, stating, “The fire did not cause any major damage to the steel superstructure of the bridge and the channel on the Seekonk River under the bridge is safe for boaters.” Some 60 pieces of timber were burned, loosened or damaged by the fire were removed from the site. The bridge was first inspected using a RIDOT drone then physically by the firm A.I. Engineers.

The 113-year-old bridge has hovered over the river in an erect position since 1976. Some two weeks ago, a fire, speculated to have been started by vandals shooting off fireworks from its base, was reported to public safety officials by a paddleboarder on the evening of June 29. However, according to RIDOT, no formal findings have been announced and the incident remains under investigation by State Fire Marshal.

RIDOT acquired the Crook Point Bascule Bridge, built in 1908 by the New Haven Railroad, in 1981 as part of a real estate package that included the railroad tunnel and the former Union Station in Providence. Train service stopped in 1976 when the lift portion of the bridge was raised to its current position for boating purposes.

Aside from the fire, the bridge has been in the news lately as the City of Providence attempts to purchase it from RIDOT and repurpose it for public use. In April of this year the parties agreed on a transfer fee of $1 for the property. The agreement, which must also be approved by both the Rhode Island Public Rail Corporation and the Providence Redevelopment Agency, is scheduled to be formalized either later this month or in early August.

In a previous statement, RIDOT noted it inspects the bridge every two years, but that the safety of the structure has been an “ongoing concern.” The grounds, though fenced, continue to be circumvented. Prior to the agreement with Providence, the bridge, at an estimated cost of $6 million, was budgeted for scheduled demolition as part of the state’s “RhodeWorks” infrastructure program.

The City of Providence expressed serious interest in saving the structure late in 2020. It conducted a design contest for the bridge, receiving around 80 proposals. Five finalists were named in February of this year and in June Providence announced an 11-member panel had chosen as the winner the concepts submitted by the Horsely Witten Group and Jonathan Harris, which would convert the parcel into public parkland.

The Providence-based Horsley Witten team included Jon Ford and Ellen Biegert with Mr. Harris, an urban designer and professor at Johnson & Wales. The underlying theme of the proposal was “to strategically create a series of unique riverfront public spaces to physically and visually connect people to both a restored riverbank and to a celebrated bridge structure.”

The bridge would remain in an upright position, allowing for continued nautical access to the river and potentially lowering the cost of redevelopment. A main feature would be the installation of LED boards on the structure, which would used for various light displays. One depiction includes the bridge lighted in red, white and blue colors for Independence Day, another has it illuminated in pink for breast cancer awareness.

The proposal description reads, “A light display adjusts, reacting to movement of people walking to the end of the pier and encouraging engagement and play. When not reacting to movement of people, the lights display
information related to the community or location such as weather, events, tides, nature, or others as determined by the community.”

In another explanatory note titled “Icon,” the team wrote, “The Bascule Bridge is an icon seen for miles, a reminder of the strength and tenacity of our forebearers. It is inspirational, shifting over time from utility to art. This future promises a new transformation, in which the bridge becomes a lit beacon, a canvas for artists, and a reflection of our always changing community.”

The submission of Mr. Harris and the team from Horsley Witten, which as well is currently consulting East Providence with its ongoing Comprehensive Plan revision, also calls at some point for the potential building of affordable housing units in East Providence. The parcel of land associated with bridge in East Providence is off Waterfront Drive, which itself is being reconstituted as part of RIDOT’s reconstruction of the Henderson Bridge.

East Providence Waterfront Commission Executive Director Chris Martin, however, cautioned the Horsley Witten proposal is just an “idea.” Like with the bridge, the housing component is simply a potential approach.

“It could be a great concept for the area,” Mr. Martin said. “I like that the winning proposal did do a lot to activate the East Providence side. We’re just excited something like this could bring attention and attraction to East Providence.”

With the RIDOT-Providence transaction expected to be finalized, Mr. Martin said the commission along with the East Providence Planning Department are likely to have more directly inclusion in the process.

“I was glad to hear the news about the inspection, which means the sale can go through. Once that happens, I’m sure we’ll be working closely with Providence moving forward to see what potentially the area could be,” Mr. Martin added.