The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) turned down different proposals to keep Hope Street open during the Silver Creek Bridge replacement, yet the RIDOT communication of Oct. 24, 2019, describes using one of these proposals in the replacement of the Lafayette Road Bridge on Route 4 in North Kingstown.

“RIDOT will use accelerated bridge construction (ABC) for this replacement. The ABC method that will be used is Slide-in Bridge or lateral slide. With this method, a new bridge is built on temporary supports parallel to the existing bridge. The existing bridge is demolished or removed, and the new bridge is slid into place, tied to the approaches, and paved, usually within 72 hours. The Slide-in Bridge method causes less traffic disruption and provides greater safety for motorists and construction workers because of the condensed time frame” as well as fewer environmental impacts from vehicle and construction equipment emissions.”

There is no reason why this method could not be used in Bristol, as previously suggested, and prevent dire economic impact and excessive congestion while correcting the errors for sea level rise for the Silver Creek Bridge. Bristol deserves no less consideration than North Kingston or, for that matter, Barrington and Warren in keeping highways open during bridge replacement.

Patrick Barosh, Ph.D.
Bristol