PROVIDENCE, RI The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) opened the Central Street Bridge in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, six months ahead of schedule and on budget. The Central Street Bridge carries local traffic on Route 5 over Route 146. The project cost is $7.7 million, eighty percent of which is federally funded.

"RIDOT now uses an industry best-practice project management approach for all its projects, a decision that keeps scoring victories for taxpayers," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "Our new way of doing business, fundamental to the Governor's RhodeWorks program, is the reason why we're able to deliver projects so quickly, minimizing traffic delays and saving money."

Built in 1959, the Central Street Bridge has been rated as structurally deficient for 18 years and has been posted with a 24-ton weight limit. It was last repaired in 1987. With the complete bridge replacement, Central Street Bridge will be safe for use by all legal load trucks. Approximately 2,500 vehicles use the bridge daily.

The replacement project included complete removal of the existing bridge superstructure; removal of the pier caps, wingwalls, columns and approach slabs; installation of new superstructure and substructure; reconstruction of approach roadways with concrete sidewalks and new guardrails; and complete repaving of Route 146 near the project. The contractor on this project is Cardi Corporation.

The replacement of the Central Street Bridge is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development and create jobs.